Will there be a travel assistance review and if so when will it take place?
All children's and young people’s eligibility for travel assistance will be reviewed regularly. It's standard practice that we encourage peers to share transport, and aren’t normally able to inform individual families if/when this may take place. The review will also determine if the type of assistance remains appropriate and when independent travel training should commence.
Where travel assistance has been granted on a time-limited basis, further information will be sought prior to the end of the agreed assistance period to enable a timely review to take place.
Travel assistance will also be reviewed when there's a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in home address, school or a change in the child's or young person’s needs.
Transport contracts will also be routinely tendered to ensure that we're compliant with procurement rules. We'll aim to give families a lead-in time (unless tendered for an unforeseen circumstance/emergency reason) and support in managing any change where possible.
It's the responsibility of the parent/carer to notify us immediately of any changes that may affect the provision of travel assistance. Any changes will mean that there may be a period of time where no provision for travel assistance is in place, and parents need to have appropriate contingency arrangements set up in order to get their child to school.
There may be times when transport can't operate, such as in bad weather, and again we ask that parents and carers have suitable contingency arrangements in place at such times.
Parents/carers must keep pupil information up to date and inform the Passenger Transport Group of any changes to address, school placements, pupil need/medical need and emergency contact information.
We encourage peers sharing and promote independence wherever possible.