Guidance for SEN parents and carers

If your child has special educational needs or disabilities and is approved for home to school transport, we can provide additional support.

The Journey Care Plan (JCP) is embedded in the online SEN application form. Every SEN student who is eligible will require a JCP as a condition of travel. 

Parents and carers are asked to put as much detail as possible about their child's needs and diagnoses to help us make their journey as comfortable as possible.

This is then incorporated into the final JCP plan, which is based on information provided by the child's: 

• operations staff 
• school 
• SEN team 
• EHCP (if they have one)

The JCP will be compiled by the school transport team, but which will be regularly reviewed. Parents and carers are required to update their child’s JCP at the following key points:

• Year 6 transition 
• after your child's Year 9 review 
• Year 11 transition 
• any significant changes in your child's diagnoses or needs

Independent travel training

We are introducing independent travel training for those who are eligible for free home to school travel assistance. To find out more, please see our Independent Travel Training section as part of their pathway to adulthood.

Passenger assistants

Not every student will require a passenger assistant. We will consider using passenger assistants where we decide this is necessary to meet individual needs.

A Personal Travel Allowance (PTA) is an amount of money paid to parents or carers of children who are eligible for transport.

If you would like to be considered for a travel allowance, please tick the box provided when submitting your application. We encourage parents/carers to read the PTA policy before applying.

Safety seats or specialist equipment

It is your responsibility to provide a standard child seat for use on school transport.

Where possible, please make sure that any equipment supplied is compatible with a standard three-point seatbelt. Please note that not all vehicles have Isofix fittings available.

All safety equipment must be in a clean and safe condition to be accepted on home to school transport services.

Medication

Medication can be brought onto the service. Please make sure it is:

• in a sealed container or bag
• clearly labelled with your child's name

We ask that you inform the passenger assistant that prescribed medication is being carried by your child.

If you have questions about the service, or concerns about your child's experience on the service, please speak to either:

• your school 
• the home to school transport team via schooltransport@n-somerset.gov.uk
• the passenger assistant (if there is one on the vehicle) 
• your child’s SEND officer (if you have one)

We are committed to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and will take all enquiries or concerns seriously.