Taxi Driver Online :: View topic - IoW firm denies vulerable adult 'dumped on doorstep'

Roger Coombes, of Alpha IW, admitted Luke was left on his own 'for a matter of minutes' but also said an 'investigation of these concerns has been undertaken and found to be unsubstantiated'.

He said: "We were sorry to learn of the experience reported and I can assure you this is not the level of service we would wish for.

Now, I know many of the Alpha drivers, and they are good people. This may not have been the drivers fault, it may come down to the instructions, or lack of them, he was given. It may be a communication issue.

Did the council instruct the firm to ensure the customer was delivered to a responsible adult? Was that communicated to the driver? We dont know where the breakdown in service originated.

Even so, maybe a small bit of common sense from the driver could have mitigated this.

These are the most likely possibilities, but highlights that we dont know where the fault lay and should not presume to throw blame unless we know the facts.

Author:	StuartW [ Fri Dec 04, 2020 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:	IoW firm denies vulerable adult 'dumped on doorstep'
Severely vulnerable man dumped on doorstep by taxi service https://www.countypress.co.uk/news/1891 ... i-service/ THE mother of a severely vulnerable adult has spoken of her upset after he was dropped off by taxi and left unattended on the doorstep. Joy Board said she has spent the last 23 years keeping her son Luke Brimecome safe, as he has learning disabilities and cannot be left alone. He goes to Pathways at the Isle of Wight College site and is taken there and dropped off home again by Alpha Taxis — a service provided by the Isle of Wight Council. His previous driver, at a different firm, carried out the service for three years and had a good rapport with Luke. After the service went to tender, Alpha Taxis took over. Joy said she pulled up at home, 20 minutes before the time Luke was usually home, and saw him standing alone on the doorstep. The taxi firm said the mother was late home but accepted it was not the level of service it would wish to provide. Joy said: "I hugged him for all it was worth, it was such a shock. He has never been left on his own in his whole life, it would be like leaving a three-year-old on the doorstep. "He could have had a seizure from epilepsy and hit his head, or he could have been scared and bolted out into the road. "So many things could have happened to him, yet no one has even apologised." An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “We are greatly concerned to hear a vulnerable resident with special needs has not received the level of care they would hope for with their transportation to and from college. “The schools’ taxi service was tendered earlier this year and a new provider started in September. “Options are available to drop off passengers depending on the needs of the service user, including those who make their own way to the door, where it is expected a responsible adult is available and ready to receive the individual. "Alternatively, when the taxi arrives, and the individual is particularly vulnerable they can be met and collected from the vehicle. “While it would not be appropriate to discuss individual care arrangements, in this instance every effort is being made to ensure the individual’s needs are met including provisions outside the authority’s obligations. We will continue to work to find an appropriate solution.” Roger Coombes, of Alpha IW, admitted Luke was left on his own 'for a matter of minutes' but also said an 'investigation of these concerns has been undertaken and found to be unsubstantiated'. He said: "We were sorry to learn of the experience reported and I can assure you this is not the level of service we would wish for. "We work very closely with the local authority and have done for many years, maintaining and providing a high level of service for vulnerable adults and children as per their procedures and guidelines."

Author:	StuartW [ Fri Dec 04, 2020 3:42 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: IoW firm denies vulerable adult 'dumped on doorstep'
Quote: Roger Coombes, of Alpha IW, admitted Luke was left on his own 'for a matter of minutes' but also said an 'investigation of these concerns has been undertaken and found to be unsubstantiated'. He said: "We were sorry to learn of the experience reported and I can assure you this is not the level of service we would wish for. Seems to be denying the claim, yet apologising for it at the same time Otherwise, predictable blather from the firm and the council. One of the commenters says council just took lowest price at last tender. Claims firm is 'worst possible' on IoW, and takes on drivers with 'no English language skills'. Sounds about right. But of course, very probably a competitor firm saying that, so has to be taken with pinch of salt. Also says 'absolutely no checks whatsover' on drivers, which I find hard to believe. This other comment is probably quite astute and claims to be a driver from another firm - sounds plausible when reading the comment. Probably just a breakdown in communications, thus the new driver wasn't aware of the precise procedure. Quote: Now, I know many of the Alpha drivers, and they are good people. This may not have been the drivers fault, it may come down to the instructions, or lack of them, he was given. It may be a communication issue. Did the council instruct the firm to ensure the customer was delivered to a responsible adult? Was that communicated to the driver? We dont know where the breakdown in service originated. Even so, maybe a small bit of common sense from the driver could have mitigated this. These are the most likely possibilities, but highlights that we dont know where the fault lay and should not presume to throw blame unless we know the facts.

Author:	edders23 [ Fri Dec 04, 2020 4:46 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: IoW firm denies vulerable adult 'dumped on doorstep'
There is no explanation as to why he was home early. did the taxi/ph turn up early or were they asked to come earlier by the college ?

Author:	Sussex [ Fri Dec 04, 2020 7:48 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: IoW firm denies vulerable adult 'dumped on doorstep'
Suspect a lot of this is down to the change of driver. Maybe mum could pick up the fella instead and save the taxpayer a small fortune.

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