Special Educational Needs Transport

General Information

All drivers undertaking contracts on behalf of Tameside MBC must be vetted by the Criminal Records Bureau (formerly Police Vetting Department). If any driver is found not to have undergone this process, action will be taken to remove the contract forthwith. If you undertake work as a relief driver, the same conditions apply. If you are unsure about any aspect of the contract conditions, please contact us using the details below.

• Pupil Supervision
• Safety - Loading/Unloading
• Collection Procedures
• Drop-Off Procedures
• Maintenance of Vehicles
• Cover
• Problems/Queries

Pupil Supervision

1. Drivers must ensure that:
2. No-one alights from the vehicle whilst it is in motion
3. All wheelchairs are securely clamped into their vehicle before setting off
4. All pupils have been fastened into their seat belts/harnesses and the Escort is ready before setting off.
5. In the absence of an Escort the driver must:
   • Ensure pupils are handed over to a member of staff on arrival at school
   • Endeavour to keep order amongst the pupils.
   • Ensure that pupils on the return journey home are collected by parent/carer.

Only the authorised pupils are conveyed in their vehicle.

Safety Loading/Unloading

Loading / unloading and operation of Tail Lifts is the sole responsibility of the driver. Normal practice is that the driver stands outside of the vehicle; -

1. Places the wheelchair on to the tail lift
2. Secures the wheelchair
3. Operates the lift

Collection Procedures

Drivers must ensure that:

1. Parents are given approximate collection times to avoid any unnecessary waiting.
2. Pupils are collected from as near to their home address as possible.
3. Pupils do not need to cross roads to board transport
4. 3-5 minutes waiting time is given for each pupil where possible. If however a pupil fails to use the vehicle provided, please leave the "Collection Card" issued by the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit. Transport will then re-commence when parents inform the Contractor.
5. Pupils are not collected from any other address than home unless instructed by the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit.
6. They arrive at their allocated school within 10 minutes of the school opening time

Drop-off procedures

Drivers must ensure that:

1. Parents are given approximate drop off times to avoid any unnecessary waiting.
2. Pupils are to be dropped off as near to their home address as possible.
3. Pupils are not expected to cross roads to get to their home address.
4. Pupils are taken to their home address only, unless instructed otherwise by the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit.
5. If parents/carers are not at home the driver should continue with the journey dropping all the other pupils off.
6. If parents/carers are still not at home at the second attempt to deliver the pupil the driver should contact the Services for Children and Young People Special Educational Needs Service Unit to receive further instructions, (e.g. take the child to a children's home)
7. They leave the "Drop Off" card issued by the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit after completing the relevant information about where the pupil has been taken.
8. Do not collect the pupil until authorised to do so by the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit.

Drivers must not accept any change of address from any source except the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit. Should this guideline be disregarded and as a result an incident occurs, drivers will be liable for any repercussions that this may cause.

Maintenance of vehicles

Drivers must please ensure that all vehicles have the following:-

1. Fire extinguisher.
2. First Aid Box.
3. Vehicles are clean.
4. Vehicles are mechanically sound.
5. Vehicles are fitted with seat belts, which are in good working order.
6. Vehicles used are licensed, taxed, insured and in the possession of a valid M.O.T

Cover

Contractors responsibilities are as follows:-

1. To provide a suitable alternative vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
2. To ensure that any substitute drivers are aware of the route to be taken and the pupils to be collected before the journey commences. It is unacceptable to expect Escorts to give drivers directions at the same time as supervising pupils.
3. To provide a substitute Escort on behalf of the Special Needs Services Unit when required.
4. To ensure that all drivers display identification Badges.
5. To ensure that all Contractor Supplied Escorts have identification Badges issued by the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit, and that these are displayed at all times.

Each driver has a Duty of Care requirement which is to provide transport for any person to travel in safety and reasonable comfort.

Drivers and Escorts are required not to smoke on the vehicle whilst transporting children.

Problems/Queries

Please ensure that any problems or queries are directed to the Services for Children and Young People Special Needs Services Unit as and when they occur. It is important that we know about any difficulties to enable us to solve them.

Please note that these guidelines are also reiterated in the Contract Conditions.

If you should have any queries regarding these guidelines or any other aspect of the post, please contact: