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."