Home to school travel assistance
A few parents will need some help in getting their special educational needs child to school because of the type of need or the severity of need. Members of the SEN Panel decide the travel assistance after considering the individual needs of the child
Home to school transport is a vital service to some of the most vulnerable children attending schools. It is an essential component in reducing the inequality of opportunity for these young people. The service involves a complex interplay of many people -parents, drivers, escorts, administrators, SENCOs and other school staff. To ensure smooth operation of the service all people have responsibilities and must play their part.
The Council have a statutory duty to consider the transport needs of children and to publish a policy on home to school transport. The policy determines eligibility for transport assistance and the types of transport assistance that might be provided. This may include the provision of a bus pass, the reimbursement of petrol costs or rail fare, the provision of an escort to accompany a child to school, transport by a bus or minibus and transport in an accessible bus or minibus. In rare cases the use of private hire vehicles will be needed.
Where transport is provided it will be provided to and from the child’s legal home or a collection point and the school. Agreed transport assistance is provided free of charge. Waltham Forest have overall responsibility for the service and will co-ordinate the parties involved. Primary responsibility for determining the transport needs of each child rests with officers of Waltham Forest who are guided by the Council’s policy. The Council have contracted CT Plus to undertake the day to day running of transport.
The SEN Team will determine the transport needs of children (in consultation) and will review these every year.
Home to school transport is a significant cost. It is important that we work together to deliver high quality services to families in genuine need and reduce inefficiencies wherever possible.
Parents’ responsibilities
- Parents who wish to use the offered service must:
- ensure that their child is ready at the scheduled pick up time;
- be at home to receive the child after school;
- treat school staff, escorts, drivers and pupils in a courteous and respectful manner;
- provide two emergency telephone contact numbers;
- inform the SEN Team and CT Plus of any change of address in advance.
The quality of the service will be monitored to ensure that the performance standard is met. The Transport Contractor’s Performance will be reviewed every month and this information will be shared with the Council. Parents and schools will be surveyed each year to determine the level of satisfaction with the service. Satisfaction levels above 95% are targeted.
Download the Home to School Travel Assistance Guide (650KB PDF file) which provides more information and advice to parents/carers about the services available in supporting children in travelling to and from school, college and further education settings.
Some of these documents are in PDF format . To view them you may need to download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Schools' responsibilities
Schools can help by:
- ensuring that sufficient staff members are on hand at the scheduled drop off times to accept children into the school.
Note that drop off times may be staggered to help reduce traffic congestion around larger schools and to aid efficient scheduling. - ensuring that children are ready promptly at the scheduled collection time;
- assisting with the review of transport requirements each year by carefully considering each child’s transport needs and providing appropriate information at the annual review of statement of special educational needs.
- providing timely notice of variations in transport requirements.
For non-operational issues, e.g. changes of address, school leavers or complaints, contact the SEN Team (details below).
Regarding day to day operational issues. e.g. Child is ill or unable to attend school, holidays, delays in service etc, please telephone 020 8496 2552.
If you require further information contact the Transport Officer at the address below.
Contact us
SEN Team
1st Floor, Wood Street Health Centre
Linford Road
London E17 3LA
Tel: 020 8496 6503/6505
Email senteam@walthamforest.gov.uk
