Transport for Children with Additional Support Needs
Contractors
Vehicles
North Ayrshire Council provide free transport for children who are assessed as requiring it because of additional support needs or medical difficulties. The transport may be a bus, taxi or hire car. Other children may also be included and we may provide an adult escort to accompany a child.
The transport provider will pick up your child at home in time for the start of school and return your child to your home at the end of the school day. The precise times will be notified to you directly by your appointed contractor. Contractors are not required to transport children to and from any address other than their home.
Contractors are required to contact you in advance so that you can give them any information about your child. Make sure that you inform your contractor about anything that you think might be helpful for them to know concerning your child's needs.
Parents are expected to contact the contractor if their child is to be absent from school.
In some circumstances parents may act as their own contractor and choose to transport their child themselves. An appropriate mileage rate is paid in these cases.
Contractors
Education and Skills tender ASN contracts on a three-year cycle. Contractors require to offer the service at a competitive price with a record of reliability and good service. Contractors who fail in this regard will be removed from providing this service or won't be considered.
All contract drivers and escorts undergo a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check to ensure that they have no history of offences that would place a child in their care at risk.
We ensure that:
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No smoking is allowed on any vehicle when transporting children.
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All vehicles carry either a radio or mobile phone for emergency contact purposes.
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All contractors hold a note of your child's name, address, telephone number and emergency contact information in their vehicle.
Vehicles
Contractors' vehicles must meet normal standards of suitability. They must have Ministry of Transport test approval, where appropriate, and the correct insurance. All cars and minibuses will have seat belts for your child's use. Where necessary, special seating will be provided by the contractor for your child's use as instructed by the Council.
All vehicles are liable to random inspection by our specialist transport staff to ensure that they continue to meet the standards of safety and reliability.
Contracts are normally delivered by private hire firms or licensed taxis. The contract may specify a particular type of vehicle.
If you have comments or concerns about any this service you should complete a monitoring, available from Administration and Support Services.