Walsall Children's Services

Walsall Council's Home/School Transport Policy

  Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2010

Introduction

Whilst parents/carers have a duty to ensure that their children attend school and to make any necessary transport arrangements, Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council provides home to school transport in certain circumstances and also provides free scholars bus passes where the pupil meets the mileage criteria.

This document sets out Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council’s policy and criteria for the provision of home to school transport. It is to assist parents and schools in establishing transport entitlement and what transport services are available.

The policy is determined in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Education Act, 1996 sections 444 and 509. The policy will be updated as necessary in line with new legislation and guidelines.

Where reasonably possible, and in line with Government legislation, the LEA will endeavour to offer school places which are within reasonable access of the pupil’s home address. In planning school places, the Authority will take into account the accessibility of provision in order to:

(a) Help ensure reasonable journey times for pupils.

(b) Enable as many pupils as possible to walk to school therefore reducing the number of car journeys in line with the Authority’s commitment to protecting the environment.

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council aims to provide appropriate, safe, efficient and cost effective transport to those pupils who qualify under this policy. Every effort will be made to ensure that this is maintained.

Section 1: Transport for Mainstream Pupils.

1a. Primary and Secondary Aged Pupils

Transport will be provided in the form of a free scholars bus pass for pupils of primary and secondary school age travelling over the statutory walking distance measured postcode to postcode from the pupil’s home address to the school’s address by the safest, shortest walking route. Pupils will be expected to use public transport. No free travel arrangements will be made for parents/carers who wish to accompany their child to school.

Pupils applying for assistance must reside in Walsall and be attending a Walsall school. If the pupil is attending the nearest available school of its type and the distance between home and school by the safest, shortest route is equal to or greater than the distances indicated below, then they will normally be provided with a scholars free bus pass.

(i) Between 5 years and up to 8 years of age – 2 miles.

(ii) Between 8 years of age and the end of the academic year in which the child reaches 16 years of age – 3 miles.

1b. Denominational Education.

(i) If a pupil attends a denominational school in Walsall, assistance will be given only if he/she attends there to fulfil religious beliefs and the qualifying distances in 1a above are met.

(ii) If a pupil attends a denominational school outside Walsall, assistance will only be given if he/she meets the criteria set out in 1b(i) and there is not a school in the appropriate age range of that denomination in the Walsall area.

1c. Change of Address.

Assistance will normally only be given at the time of moving address irrespective of whether the school is located within Walsall or another Authority providing that the following criteria are met.

(i) The pupil is in Year 10 or Year 11.

(ii) Transfer to a school closer to home is impractical because of syllabus requirements.

(iii) The statutory distance requirements are met.

1d. Parental Preference

The Council recognises its obligations under the education Act, 1996, to comply with parental preferences regarding choice of school. However, parents choosing a school further away from their home than the nearest appropriate school available will be responsible for any transport costs incurred.

Where a pupil earns a place at a selective school, The LEA may issue a free scholars bus pass if the parents/carers are in receipt of Income support or Job seekers allowance. Proof will need to be seen.

1e. Medical Cases

Pupils requiring temporary provision of transport due to medical needs, e.g. broken legs etc. may be referred for consideration by their Consultant or General Practitioner. Only pupils who’s parents/carers are in receipt of income support or job seekers allowance will be considered. Proof will need to be provided.

1f. Post 16 Transport

Only students who are over 16 and have recognised special educational needs as deemed by the LEA at age 16 will be considered for allocation of transport or a free scholars bus pass to college/sixth form. To qualify, the student must meet the criteria set out in paragraph 2b of this policy.

1g. Transport Provision for Special Circumstances

In normal circumstances pupils who are placed in the nearest appropriate educational provision which is at a special unit or a non-school site, will be expected to make their own way to school. However, in special circumstances it may be appropriate for the LEA to consider whether home to school transport or a free scholars bus pass should be provided. In these circumstances the decision will be based on the criteria set out in 2b.

Section 2: Transport for Statemented Pupils with Special Educational Needs.

2a.General.

The majority of pupils with special educational needs have their needs met in their local school and will not normally require assistance with home to school transport. In normal circumstances only those pupils who have a finalised a statement and with the special needs indicated below and who meet the criteria set out in 2b will receive assistance.

(i)Serious medical problems which affect mobility; and/or

(ii)Challenging behaviour e.g. autism.

However each case will be individually assessed in relation to the pupils’ school placement. The special transport need is assessed using advice gathered from appropriate professionals such as schools, medical staff etc. through the LEA’s statutory assessment procedure. The starting point for the LEA for a pupil with special needs is that they have the same entitlement to transport as any other pupil.

For children with statements of special educational needs the LEA will, in consultation with the parents/carers determine an appropriate educational placement. This may be at a special school, a mainstream school, a special unit within a mainstream school or a residential school outside the Borough. The mode of travel and whether a pupil attendant will be provided will be at the sole discretion of the LEA after consultation with the school. The majority of special needs transport is provided through private hire vehicles where contracts are awarded through the Council’s tendering process. Therefore parents/carers and schools must accept that the transport provider may be changed at the discretion of the LEA as it sees fit.

Parents are advised that where home to school transport is agreed by the LEA, their child will be expected to join an existing transport route and share the vehicle with other pupils unless otherwise authorised by the LEA. Where a pupil is educated outside of Walsall, the LEA will explore all cost effective means of transportation before reaching a decision on the type of transport allocation e.g. train, coach, taxi, parent/carers own vehicle etc. In some cases where it is felt more appropriate, a free scholars bus pass may be provided.

The provision of home to school transport is subject to an annual review and can therefore be withdrawn if it is no longer deemed appropriate or necessary. This action, however, would not normally come into effect until the term following the decision.

2b.Criteria for Allocation of Home to School Transport.

The policy seeks to develop both inclusion and independence in statemented pupils. It is therefore in the best interests of all pupils that they are encouraged to develop both educationally and socially, this includes working towards independent travel. Pupils will therefore be encouraged to achieve this as soon as possible. This will of course be in consultation with parents/carers and schools.

Whether or not a statemented pupil needs assistance with travelling to and from school will be considered at the time of the initial statutory assessment by the LEA and will be subject to subsequent annual review.

The following will be taken into consideration by the LEA when deciding if a young person is to be allocated home to school transport or a scholars free bus pass.

(i)The distance to the school/placement in relation to the criteria set out in 1a.

(ii)Whether the journey is on a main bus route, which is accessible to the young person.

(iii)Whether the young person is in receipt of mobility allowance.

(iv)Whether the young person has serious medical problems, long or short term.

(v)Whether the pupil has significant/complex learning difficulties which affect their ability to travel independently to school.

(vi)Whether the young person has serious difficulty with walking or general mobility difficulties.

(vii)Whether there are any severe family/personal circumstances which impact on the young person’s ability to attend school/college which should be taken into account.

(viii)The most cost effective mode of transport for journeys to placements outside Walsall e.g. train instead of taxi etc.

If home to school transport is agreed it will be subject to review through the annual review process, and may therefore be withdrawn if it is no longer felt appropriate by the LEA.

Should home to school transport be withdrawn and independent travel takes its place, an assessment will be made as to whether it is appropriate for the pupil to receive a free scholars bus pass.

2c.Pupil Attendants.

The needs of each individual pupil to be accompanied will be assessed by the LEA. Where it is felt appropriate, a pupil attendant will be provided through the contract with the vehicle operator.

Pupil attendants are responsible for the care and supervision of pupils to and from school. They should oversee the conduct and safety of the pupils in such a way that the driver is unhindered in his/her duties.

2d.Journeys Covered.

Where the LEA has agreed that transport will be provided, this will only be for a journey to school at the beginning of the school day and home at the end of the school day. There is no provision for routes to be altered for such things as hospital appointments etc. Transport will also not be provided for other non-educational journeys, work experience and/or extra curricular activities, or curriculum based activities. Where a child is ill or sent home due to misbehaviour, transport will not be provided by the LEA. It is therefore the responsibility of the parents/carers to arrange for the collection of the pupil.

2e.Mileage Allowance.

In some cases parents/carers of pupils for whom home to school transport has been allocated may wish to transport their child in their own vehicle. In these circumstances where it is agreed that this is appropriate to meet the needs of the child and is deemed cost effective, a mileage allowance will be payable. Details are available from the transport section. The decision on whether this is appropriate will be made by the LEA.

2f.Respite Care.

Although any necessary transport arrangements for pupils to be taken from school to particular respite centres may be arranged by the LEA, it is the responsibility of Social services to meet additional costs where they arise and make the arrangements for the placement.

2g.Annual Review Process.

The transport requirements of pupils with specialeducational needs will be reviewed annually as part of the annual review process in consultation with parents/carers. As a result transport assistance may be discontinued if it is no longer felt necessary to meet the needs of the pupil. Parents/carers will be informed of this decision as soon as possible, and would normally take effect form the beginning of the next term.

2h.Confidential Information.

The vehicle operator awarded the contract may be given on a confidential basis, details of pupils’ needs outlining any relevant difficulties which they may need to be aware of. They will also be advised of any pupils who are prone to fits or other symptoms which may affect the journey to or fromschool. The information will be provided by the LEA in consultation with parents/carers and the schools.

2i.Vehicle Occupancy.

Where the LEA agrees that a taxi is to be provided and that it is appropriate for a parent/carer to accompany the child, only one adult(unless otherwise agreed by the LEA) will be allowed to travel. No other family member or friend will be entitled to use the transport provided. This is to allow for as great a level of flexibility in the allocation and use of taxis by other pupils as may be necessary.

2j.Parental Responsibility.

Parents/carers are required to ensure pupils are ready for collection at the designated times for transport to and from school. They are also responsible for escorting their child to and from the vehicle. Persistent failure to be ready for delivery/collection will result in either temporary or permanent withdrawal of the service. Parents/carers will then become responsible to ensure their child’s attendance at school. Parents/carers must provide the LEA with emergency contact numbers, which must be amended as necessary. Arrangements to receive pupils at the end of the school day are also the responsibility of parents/carers.

2k.Post 16 and Further Education.

In order to ensure that a student’s education can be as inclusive as possible, through ongoing social and independence training very few students who wish to continue their education Post 16 will require assistance with transport. However, in the event where this may be necessary, the criteria in 2b will be applied and the decision of the LEA at the student’s annual review at age 16. Transport provisions for students who reach the age of 19 or over ceases to be the responsibility of the LEA.

2l.Appeals Procedure.

The parents/carers of pupils with special education needs who are not offered free transport by the LEAmay appeal against the decision. All appeals will be heard by the Appeals Panel at the first available meeting.

General.

3a.Behaviour

In the provision of a transport service, staff and service users can expect fair and equitable treatment. Harassment of any form will not be tolerated. Abuse and violence of/to staff and/or service users, damage to vehicles or any behaviour which jeopardises the safety of other occupants of the vehicle will not be accepted. Pupils’ behaviour while in transit which results in any of the above may result in that pupils’ transport being withdrawn and/or charges for damage being passed on to those responsible. The Authority may refuse to transport pupils displaying aggressive or dangerous behaviour.

3b.Complaints.

The Special Needs Transport Officer is responsible for receiving and investigating complaints from schools, parents/carers or pupils regarding home to school transport provided by vehicle operators. Concerns can be raised through the school or direct to the Transport Officer.

3c.Criminal Background Checks and Identity Badges.

Criminal background checks are made on all pupil attendants and drivers prior to them being employed on home to school runs. Following a satisfactory check, an identity badge is issued by the LEA, which must be worn at all times as proof of approval to undertake this work. Any concerns regarding drivers/pupil attendants who fail to wear their badges must be reported to either the school or the Special Needs Transport Officer.