School and Social Care Transport Framework

The local authority has a statutory duty to provide free travel assistance to pupils who meet the qualifying criteria. Most of the pupils who qualify receive a bus pass.

For children and young people with special educational needs and/or a disability may be eligible to bespoke travel arrangements, such as a taxi or minibus. There are currently 536 pre-16 and 90 post-16 learners receiving transport arranged by the local authority at a forecasted cost of £4.52m for the financial year 2025 - 2026.

The scope for this project is to cover the following key deliverables:

Service users are transported in safely to their destination.

The Provider supplies appropriate trained and licenced personnel.

The provider uses vehicles that are suitable for the Passenger's needs.

The Provider provides vehicles that are in a good condition and are clean and tidy.

The supplier must at all times keep in mind the Council's own policies and priorities relevant to the project, such that the supplier highlights any recommendations which may contradict the Council's strategic direction as soon as possible, in line with the process defined in the Delivery section below.