Our team helps run the Home to School Transport Service. They will be in touch with you if there are any issues. You can also call or email them if you have problems or need to update us about your child or situation.
Home to School Transport is for eligible students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It helps them get to and from their school or educational setting. This is only available at the beginning and end of the school day.
Our SEND Travel Support Team will decide if Home to School Transport is appropriate based on a child's needs. If it is, they will:
- identify a suitable vehicle (this could be a minibus, people carrier or taxi)
- request a qualified driver and travel escort
- confirm arrangements with you
Depending on the route, other children getting SEND travel assistance may be picked up and dropped off as well.
You can read the information below to learn about how Home to School Transport works.
Commonly asked questions
How can I keep you informed about my child’s needs?
To help keep transport running smoothly, there are several ways you can help us.
You must inform SEND Travel Support Team if:
- you have any problems or concerns with:
- your child’s transport
- the driver
- the travel escort.
- you change your contact details
- you are planning to move house
- your child is unable to attend school for any reason
- there are any changes to your child’s:
- medical needs
- physical needs
- emotional needs.
- anything events that may impact your child and how they manage on transport, which could include:
- family member being ill
- a bereavement
What if my child is sick and unwell?
Contact our SEND Travel Support team on the first day of illness to let us know. We will pause the transport.
You must contact us again when your child is better and returning to school. Then we will resume transport arrangements.
What if we move house or change schools whilst getting home to school transport?
You will need to make a new application. Please give a minimum of 10 working days. This is so that we can check that your child is still eligible for transport. It also gives us time to make the necessary changes to your child’s transport.
How will the driver and travel escort know how to transport my child?
We will collect information about how we can support your child's needs when travelling. This information will come from:
- parents and carers
- schools
- professionals
We will share this information with the provider.
What type of training do the drivers and travel escorts have?
All drivers and travel escorts must have an enhanced DBS certificate. It must also be renewed every three years. Our SEND Travel Support Team will monitor this.
Drivers and travel escorts must also complete:
- Level 1 Safeguarding Children Training
- basic first aid
- a SEND Transport briefing along with an overview of the council’s allegations’ policy and procedures
- any relevant courses to assist them in their role
All of the above must be completed every 3 years.
How do I know who the driver and travel escort will be?
The transport provider will contact you before the route begins. They will arrange to meet you and your child.
Please contact the SEND Travel Support Team if you do not hear from them.
Why is transport sometimes late in picking up and dropping off my child?
Unfortunately, this can happen. There are many unavoidable reasons why transport may be delayed. This includes:
- traffic conditions
- road works
- weather conditions
- breakdowns
- a child becoming ill during transport
You will be told about this as soon as possible. This could be from our SEND Travel Support Team or the transport provider.
Very rarely, we might have to cancel the transport. This could be because of a staff illness or vehicle breaking down. We will tell you as soon as possible and do our best to find a solution.
Why wasn’t I given notice transport arrangements were going to change?
We do our best to tell you about changes as soon as possible. However, sometimes changes have to be made at very short notice. This could be because of a staff illness or vehicle breakdown.
We will always contact you about it as soon as we can.
Can transport pick up and drop off my child at an address other than our home address?
No.
Transport will only pick up and drop off from the home address and school. Locations and times cannot be changed for any reason.
If my child isn’t ready at the agreed pick up time, can transport wait?
Transport can only wait for 3 minutes for your child to arrive at the vehicle. This is so transport is not late for other students or arriving at the school.
Can the driver and travel escort come to the house to collect my child?
No.
It is your responsibility to bring your child to and from the vehicle. Drivers and travel escorts are not permitted to leave the vehicle.
Please know that drivers should not sound their horn.
What if my child requires a car seat, buckle guard or harness for them to travel safely?
For car seats, parents and carers are responsible. You will need to provide this and fit the car seat in the vehicle.
For a buckle guard or harness, our SEND Travel Support Team can give you this. However, they can only be used on SEND Home to School Transport routes.
What happens when transport drops off my child?
A responsible adult must collect your child when they are dropped off at home. If no one does this after 3 minutes, the driver or travel escort will call the SEND Travel Support Team. We will then try to contact:
- parents and carers
- the emergency contact
If we cannot get in touch, we will contact children's or adult's social care. They will decide the best action. Please know we will try everything possible before doing this.
If this happens more than once, home to school transport may be paused. It can be resumed when we can guarantee someone will be home to collect your child.
We have a duty to safeguard all children and young people. When there are any concerns, we will pass on information to appropriate services.
What if my child struggles with their behaviour?
We can only transport your child if we can do this safely.
Transport may be paused or stopped because of disruptive behaviour that creates risks.
If transport is suspended or withdrawn, we can still give you a Personal Travel Budget.
How does my child’s medication get transported?
Your child might have prescription medication that they need to take to school. This must:
- be in the pharmacy container it was dispensed in
- have the child's name
- have the name of the medicine.
Any medication transported must be signed at the home and school.
Travel escorts are not allowed to give medication unless a plan is in place.
How can I check that drivers and travel escorts are authorised to transport my child?
All drivers and travel escorts are given a Newcastle City Council SEND Transport ID badge. This will include:
- a photo
- an expiry date
- the name of provider they work for
Drivers and travel escorts must have their badge with them at all times. You should contact the SEND Travel Support Team if they cannot show you their badge.
Sometimes, the driver or travel escort may have to be changed. This could be because of sickness or staff leaving. We always ask transport providers to contact you about any changes as soon as possible.
It is your responsibility to check ID badges of drivers and travel escorts from home. This is important if they have not previously transported your child.
If you have any concerns, please contact SEND Transport by calling 0191 2774646.