Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) home to school transport review

Whilst we have reviewed individual home to transport routes in recent years, it has been some time since we have reviewed them all. Over that time children and their needs have changed. Therefore, it is important that we now look at all routes, on a school-by-school basis, to make sure we have the right provision in place, using the most efficient routes, making sure your child’s needs are met and that they get to school as quickly and safely as possible. The review is also essential in making sure that we can continue to financially afford the ever-increasing demand for transport.

We also want to make sure that we are not using more vehicles than is necessary, to help relieve congestion, support the environment, and ensure safety around school sites at drop off and pick up times.

As changes across the county will not necessarily all, your child’s current arrangements will remain in place until you are advised otherwise. If there are changes to a child’s current arrangements, which could be to the route taken, transport provider or students they travel with, details will be shared these with parents/carers as quickly as possible. You will be given as much notice as possible and if there is a change to the provider, they will arrange a home visit, to help make the change as smooth as possible.

In 2022/23 we spent £13.1million on SEND transport, an increase of over £4million (44%) in just two years. Last year our average transport cost per SEND pupil was £9,944 per year. This is almost double the average (£5,073) of that spent by councils in counties similar to Gloucestershire. Therefore, this review is essential if we are to remain within our budget at the same time as meeting the ever-increasing demand for transport.

However, we have also carried out a huge amount of work in recent years, ensuring the quality of our providers is of the highest standard as well as using our dedicated compliance officers who attend school sites and inspect vehicles daily. As part of this review, all routes and arrangements will continue to be maintained to the same high standards.

As part of the review, it is important that every child’s Passenger Safety Plan (PSP) is up to date. If you feel anything needs to be updated (behavioural or medical needs, telephone numbers, contacts etc.) on your child’s PSP, please fill in the online update form. Please always quote your reference number.

Alternatively, you can update your child's PSP by printing off the downloadable version of the form, fill in the relevant sections, and return it to us (scanned) via email (sentransportreview@gloucestershire.gov.uk) or by posting it to us at SEN Travel Enablement, Block 4, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2TJ.

Useful links

• Transport assistance for Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils
• Home to school travel assistance policy (SEND), ages 4-16
• Post-16 travel policy statement
• Independent travel training
• Overview of 16 to 19 bursary fund

FAQs

1. Why do you have to review the arrangements as we are happy with our operator?

There are approximately 1,400 children and young people in the home to school transport network and over time it can become inefficient.

In addition to these, other contracts have to be reviewed and retendered when they reach the end of the contract term. Therefore, from time to time it is necessary to take a fresh look to make sure the arrangements reflect the needs arising from students’ learning difficulties and/or disabilities. In addition, the county council must ensure that it is meeting strict procurement regulations concerning contracts paid for by public funds.

2. Will this review affect my child’s eligibility for transport?

The focus of the review is on the actual transport provided, not each student’s eligibility for assistance under the policy. Please refer to the approval letter you would have received from the SEN transport team/access to education team for confirmation of when your child’s eligibility comes to an end.

3. If the contract with my child’s current transport operator is cancelled or expires, can they bid for a new contract as part of this review?

Yes, all contractors can re-bid on routes they have held previously, although the children on these may be different to current arrangements.

4. When will I find out if my child has to change to a different transport operator?

We aim to send a further letter to parents/carers usually 7-10 days before any new transport arrangement starts. This will confirm the name/contact number of the transport operator and explain that they should telephone shortly to arrange a home visit, if they are new to you.

There will be a copy of the PSP (Passenger Safety Plan) included with the letter and you should discuss this with the driver/passenger assistant when they visit to ensure they understand your child’s needs.

5. When will my child’s school be reviewed?

Each school is part of a rolling programme and parents/carers will be notified in advance of any changes being implemented.

It is anticipated that all schools will have been reviewed by April 2024.

6. How often will transport arrangements be reviewed in the future?

Each year children join and leave schools across the county and as part of this process a regular alignment of suitable travel arrangements take place.

Dependent upon the home addresses’ of new pupils, there may be a requirement to schedule children onto more appropriate routes although this will be fully evaluated and kept to a minimum with variations to each contract arrangement.