For General Release - London Borough of Croydon

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For General Release

REPORT TO: Cabinet 12 December 2011

AGENDA ITEM NO: 21

SUBJECT: SEN TRAVEL ASSISTANCE POLICY

LEAD OFFICER: Paul Greenhalgh, Executive Director of Children, Families and Learning

CABINET MEMBER: Councillor Tim Pollard – Deputy Leader (Economic Development and Regeneration) and Cabinet Member for

Children, Families and Learning

WARDS: All

CORPORATE PRIORITY/POLICY CONTEXT: - this proposal supports: Achieving better outcomes for children and young people.

Promoting economic growth and prosperity.

FINANCIAL IMPACT There are no financial implications arising directly from the report, beyond the costs of carrying out the consultation, which will be met from the Children, Families and Learning Department’s existing budget. The changes proposed in the policy will have the effect of reducing expenditure on SEN transport, should the policy be adopted after consultation.

FORWARD PLAN KEY DECISION REFERENCE NO.: This is not a key decision at this stage

The Leader of the Council has delegated to the Cabinet the power to make the decisions set out in the recommendations below. 1. RECOMMENDATION 1.1 To enable the Executive Director of Children, Families and Learning to agree

the proposed draft SEN travel assistance policy for consultation. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 This report seeks Cabinet’s agreement to publish a new draft SEN Travel

Assistance Policy for consultation.

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3. DETAIL 3.1 Local authorities are required to provide travel assistance to any child who has to

travel more than 3 miles to school (over 2 miles for the under 8s) and to any child with special needs whose need for travel assistance is identified in their statement of SEN. In Croydon, and many other authorities, for children with SEN “travel assistance” has been assumed to be synonymous with the provision of transport.

3.2 Since September, however, Croydon has been piloting alternative means of providing travel assistance to parents of children with SEN: an independent travel training (ITT) scheme, and personal transport budgets (PTB). Under the ITT older youngsters with more moderate needs receive bespoke support to help them to master their route to and from school by walking or using public transport. The PTB sees parents being offered a cash sum to take responsibility for ensuring that their child gets to school.

3.3 Although at an early stage, the pilots have confirmed that for some families

alternatives to the provision of an SEN transport service work better for the family concerned and can also result in a financial saving to the council. However, take up to date has been low.

3.4 In order to support the strengthened adoption of a more personalised approach

we are proposing to consult on a revised SEN travel policy, which emphasises that the primary responsibility for getting children with special needs to school rests with the parent, and makes clear that the Council, and not the parent, will determine how the travel assistance should be provided.

3.5 A change to the SEN travel assistance policy would not change whether or not a

child would be eligible for travel assistance. That decision is made as part of the statutory assessment process and the issuing of a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Instead a change to the SEN travel assistance policy could result in a change to the way in which travel assistance is provided. So, rather than receiving a door to door service in a bus or taxi some parents might be offered:

a. A personal transport budget to get their child to school; b. Independence travel training for the child, with the expectation that at the

point this had been successfully completed no further support would be provided;

c. A bus or taxi service from and to a central collection point, rather than to the home address.

3.6 For children with the most significant needs a door to door bus or taxi service will

continue to be appropriate. 3.7 Any changes for children with SEN will need to be well planned and supported.

As part of the annual review of a child’s statement transport needs can be discussed. Should a change be agreed to the SEN travel assistance policy then during the course of annual reviews in 2012/13 there would be a fuller discussion as to whether an alternative offer of travel assistance would be more appropriate. The Council will also review eligibility for travel assistance for targeted groups of

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pupils during this period. Parents would have the opportunity be fully involved in these processes and have the opportunity to comment before any decision to change the travel assistance offer were taken.

4. CONSULTATION 4.1 The consultation document will be published on the website with a questionnaire

for comments from 3 January 2012. Letters will be sent to: • Parents and carers of all Croydon-resident children with a statement of SEN • Parents and carers of children who are currently undergoing the statutory

assessment process. • Members of Croydon’s Children and Families Partnership, including health

and voluntary sector partners. • Headteachers of Croydon special schools and schools with SEN resource

bases. • Current Croydon providers of SEN transport services

4.2 The consultation will run until close on Friday 2 March 2012. The feedback will

be reviewed and analysed, and used to inform the draft policy. A revised draft will be brought back to Cabinet for final approval on Monday 23 April.

4.3 As well as consulting on the overall policy, parents will also be consulted where it is proposed to change the arrangements being made to support their child’s travel to school.

5. FINANCIAL AND RISK ASSESSMENT CONSIDERATIONS

1 Revenue and Capital consequences of report recommendations There are no revenue or capital consequences associated with the report recommendations. Potential savings that could be delivered through the adoption of personal transport budgets is outlined below:

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Current year Medium Term Financial Strategy – 3 year

forecast 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 £’000 £’000 £’000 £’000Revenue Budget available

Expenditure 6272 6272 6152 5652 Income Effect of decision from report

Expenditure 120 500 840 Income Remaining budget 6152 5652 5152

2 The effect of the decision The results of the consultations will be reported back to brought back to Cabinet for a decision on the 23rd of April 2012. The current decision to consult will only commit the Council to consultation costs. 3 Risks There is a risk that the consultation will not give a broad and relevant response, however, as outlined in 41 above, the Council is planning to reach all target audiences. A risk is that less the proposed change to personalize budgets will not deliver savings. Savings are only cashable when we are able to stop running a bus or taxi. Moving one or two children per vehicle from SEN transport onto a personal transport budget increases rather than reduces costs, because the council funds both the existing transport and the individual budget. To mitigate this risk only a proportion of the notional saving has been assumed to be cashable: 50% in the first year, 60% in the second year, and 70% in 2014/15. Another risk is that the increase in the overall population of school-age children, and the number of children with special educational needs, requiring some transport assistance puts additional pressure on costs. 4 Options The Council could not update its SEN Transport Policy to reflect personal transport budgets. The Council is will then need to deal with rising costs.

5 Future savings/efficiencies As the SEN transport policy is updated and implemented, the team will continue to work towards finding additional savings. 6 Approved by: Katharine Eberhart, Head of Finance for CFL

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6. COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL SOLICITOR AND MONITORING OFFICER

6.1 The Solicitor to the Counsel comments that the amendments made by Part 6 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 which inserted new provisions dealing with school travel into the Education Act 1996 at s.508B and Schedule 35B refers to travel arrangements to be made for ‘eligible children’ rather than transport.

6.2 Having identified a child to whom the duty in the new s 508B relates, the

actual duty on the local education authority is to make such travel arrangements as it considers necessary in order to secure that home to school travel arrangements, for the purpose of facilitating the child’s attendance at the relevant educational establishment, are made and provided free of charge (s 508B(1)). In this context, “travel arrangements” are travel arrangements of any description and include arrangements for the provision of transport and escorts. “Home to school travel arrangements” are arrangements relating to travel in both directions between the child’s home and school (s 508B(3)).

6.3 The statutory guidance states that Local authorities should consult widely on

any changes to their local policies on school travel arrangements, with all interested parties included in the consultations. Consultations should last for at least 28 working days during term time.

6.4 With respect to the Council’s public sector equalities duty and when

considering the proposals in this report, the Cabinet must have ‘due regard’ to the protected characteristics and the specific needs of those within these groups that may arise. Insofar as this decision may affect large numbers of children, many of whom have one or more of the protected characteristics, the ‘due regard’ necessary is very high. Where this report and the EqIA identify an adverse impact, consideration must be given to measures to avoid that impact before fixing on a particular solution.

6.5 Consultation is further dealt with in Paragraph 4.

6.6 Approved by J Harris Baker, Head of Social Care and Education Law on behalf

of the Council Solicitor & Director of Democratic & Legal Services)

7. HUMAN RESOURCES IMPACT 7.1 There are no direct human resources implications arising out of this report.

(Approved by: Atia Williams on behalf of the Director of Workforce & Community Relations)

8. EQUALITIES IMPACT

8.1 The Equalities Impact Assessment for the SEN Travel Assistance Project is

attached. Clearly these proposals will have a substantial impact on children with disabilities and their families. We hope and expect that in many cases the impact on the child and family will be a positive one: for example, the

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opportunity for young people to have travel training which will benefit them in later life, as well as immediately. Nevertheless, there may be some families for whom the replacement of an SEN transport service with an alternative SEN travel assistance service may not be welcome, and who feel that this would have a negative impact. It will therefore be particularly important that during this consultation period we seek the views of users of the current service, and their parents and carers, as well as voluntary sector groups who support the families of children with disabilities and other interested parties, so that the final policy is informed by their views.

(Approved by Trisha Holmes, Equalities Lead, CFL)

9. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 9.1 At present where transport is provided it is by means of bus, coach, taxi or mini-

cab. Whilst the majority of children travel in multi-occupancy vehicles, around 10% of children travel as the sole passenger in a taxi.

9.2 Through independence travel training young people will be helped to travel independently, in [most/many] cases using public transport, and therefore having a positive impact in terms of reducing the number of vehicles on the road at busy school drop-off and collection times.

9.3 The impact of personal transport budgets (PTB) may have a more mixed impact on the environment, depending on how the family choose to use the PTB to help their child get to school. Where they accompany their child to school on public transport the impact may be positive, and it may also be positive if parents group together to share the transport of their children to a particular school. However, where parents choose to drive their child to school alone when previously they went in a taxi or on a bus with other children the environmental impact will be negative.

9.4 At present the SEN transport service is a door-to-door service, with children collected from their home address. In future, some children who continue to receive SEN transport may be collected in the morning and dropped off in the evening at a meeting point which may be a few minutes’ walk from the child’s home, reducing the length of the journey travelled by bus/taxi and therefore the fuel used.

10. CRIME AND DISORDER REDUCTION IMPACT

None. CONTACT OFFICER: Alison Critchley/June Maw, Head of School Places and Admissions BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: Appendices 1 & 2 attached Draft Croydon School Travel Assistance Policy EQIA

DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION

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Croydon’s School Travel Assistance Policy Policy Statement Croydon Council is committed to ensuring that every child, young person and family in Croydon leads independent, healthy lives, feeling safe and secure and achieving their full potential. Croydon’s Children and Families Partnership (CFP) commits partners to work together to simplify the partnership’s local system and improve its value for money, sustainability and effectiveness and to develop services that build the ability and resilience of children, young people and their families to be independent. The CFP also commits partners to increasing the independence for children and young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities (LDD), and their families. The aim of this policy is that all children and young people should lead lives that are independent and as free from restriction as possible thus contributing to the five outcomes for children and young people:

• To be healthy • To stay safe • To enjoy and achieve • To make a positive contribution • To achieve economic well-being

The policy sets out the criteria for eligibility to travel assistance, how parents/carers may apply, how decisions are made and how parents/carers may appeal against decisions that they are unhappy with. The policy is intended to provide clarity for parents/carers facing a wide range of circumstances, and to ensure that children and young people with particular and significant needs are appropriately supported. A summary parent’s guide has been produced and can be found at: http://www.croydon.gov.uk/education/special-educational-needs/senadvice If Croydon Council agrees to provide travel assistance it will be provided in a safe manner taking account of the child or young person’s specific needs and with regard to the best use of the Council’s resources. As a general rule, the council believes that the majority of children and young people will be able to travel on free public bus transport. The Council is also committed to reducing traffic congestion, improving road safety and reducing the environmental impact of vehicle journeys by promoting the use of alternative forms of travel, such as walking, cycling and use of integrated public transport. In this regard, the Council has adopted the principles contained in it’s draft Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy and works closely with schools to develop School Travel Plans that help to achieve this aim. Wherever possible, in the provision of travel assistance, the Council will consider travel options for ‘eligible children and young people’ that lead to reducing the number and length of vehicle journeys.


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This policy has been developed with full regard to the Department for Education, Home to School Travel Guidance. Children and young people covered by this policy This policy applies to all children and young people who are resident in Croydon or in the care of Croydon Council and are of statutory school age or up to age 19 in the case of young people with a statement of special educational needs. Young people over the age of 16 without a statement of special educational needs should refer to the Council’s Post-16 Travel policy. Children of pre-school age will not be transported by Croydon other than in exceptional circumstances. Parental responsibility Parents/carers are responsible for ensuring their child attends school. This includes arranging any necessary travel arrangements to and from school and/or accompanying their child as necessary. No dispensation will be made for parents who are working at the time their children travel to and from school. Parents are expected to make other suitable arrangements for someone else to accompany their children as necessary. SECTION 1: Children and young people with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) The majority of Croydon children and young people with a statement of special educational needs do not receive specialised travel assistance from the Council. Wherever possible the Council expects parents/carers of children and young people with an SEN statement to make arrangements for their child to attend school in the same way as for parents/carers of children without a statement, as this is an important factor in developing the child or young person's independence, social and life skills. The Council has a duty to ensure that all arrangements make best use of the Council’s resources, whilst continuing to work closely with parents/carers, schools and other agencies. Factors taken into consideration In determining eligibility under Schedule 35B Education Act 1996 for the provision of travel assistance; the following criteria will be used;

• Age of the child or young person • Distance from home to school • School attending • Length of journey • Ability to travel to school alone or accompanied either by walking or using the

London bus scheme • Whether the child or young person has a disability or learning difficulty which

makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult to walk or travel to school by bus • Whether the parent/carer has a disability which makes it impossible or

unreasonably difficult for them to take their child to school


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• Whether the family is in receipt of any other form of support towards travel (including Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance or motability vehicle). Where a motability vehicle has been provided for the benefit of the child or young person, this may be taken into account during the assessment process.

• Any other exceptional circumstances applicable to each case

When assessing eligibility for assistance, consideration will not be given to:

• Personal circumstances such as parents/carers attending work or looking after other children.

• Personal circumstances when considering collection and drop off points • The Council considers parental preference in the case of naming a school in

Part 4 of the statement unless to do so would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources. Where the Council considers that there is a suitable school nearer to the child or young person's home than the school of parental preference; both schools may be named in Part 4 of the child or young person's statement. It is open to the Council to include reference to the parent/carer accepting responsibility for all travel arrangements and associated costs to the preferred school in Part 4.

What assistance may be offered Travel assistance can only be provided for the beginning and end of the school day or at the beginning and end of the week/term in the case of residential schools. Travel assistance will not be provided to facilitate attendance at non-statutory school activities, such as breakfast or after school clubs or for medical check ups or if the child or young person has to be collected from school because of illness except in exceptional circumstances. Activities that form part of the national curriculum will not be affected. Once travel assistance has been agreed, a solution will be determined. It is for the Council to decide what type of assistance will be provided. This decision will be based on the identified needs of the individual child or young person. Croydon has a commitment to continuously ensure value for money. It should be noted that the mode of travel assistance offered will be reviewed regularly and may change as the needs of the child or young person change. Priority will always be given to travel assistance solutions that help to develop travel independence skills to enable children and young people to lead independent lives as they grow older. The following options will be considered when assessing travel assistance solutions. Over time additional innovative solutions may be developed and therefore, the options considered are not necessarily limited to those described below;

• Independent travel training: Independent travel training, focused on the needs and capabilities of a young person, can increase independence by developing personal, social and life skills. By working closely with parents/carers, the child or young person and the school, travel training will


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contribute to greater independence for the child or young person and thus will always be given priority as an option when considering suitable solutions.

• Travel pass: To enable the child or young person to travel to school

accompanied, if necessary, by an adult via public transport solutions other than the free London bus scheme.

• Personal transport budget – It may be possible for the Council to provide

parents/carers with an amount of money to create and manage personalised travel arrangements that best and most flexibly suit the needs of their child and family. This can include for example, an oyster card for public transport or a mileage allowance.

• Transport vehicles: Where assessed as essential, the Council may provide

a vehicle to transport a child or young person to and from school. Where transport vehicles are provided, these will be vehicles and drivers provided by a suitably qualified, registered, commercial provider working to contractual standards set by the Council.

Whenever possible, children and young people will travel together in buses. These will be specially adapted to meet the needs of those travelling on them. Each route will be planned on the basis of school start and finish times and the shortest possible route for all children and young people travelling on a particular vehicle. The Council currently offers a door to door service for the majority of children and young people in receipt of vehicle transport. Consideration is being given to the use of safe and convenient ‘collection points’ at reasonable distances to and from family homes. If this is implemented then the door to door service will only be agreed where it is deemed essential due to the child or young person’s significant needs.

• Taxis and private hire vehicles - Under very exceptional circumstances the

Council may transport pupils in separate taxis or private hire vehicles based on the assessed needs of the child or young person.

Provision of Escorts An escort may be provided to accompany pupils to school in exceptional circumstances on provided transport. Escorts will only be provided where they are necessary for the safe operation of vehicles and/or the care of children or young people. This will be determined during the assessment process. An escort will not be provided simply because of the child or young person’s age or because he/she does not know the driver.


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SECTION 2: Children and young people without a statement of special educational needs All children and young people up to the age of 16 (up to 18 if in full time education) are entitled to free travel on buses and trams within London. A free photocard can be obtained by either:

• Visiting and downloading an application form from www.tfl.gov.uk • Calling into any ticket retailer for an application form.

The council regards this provision as sufficient to meet the travel needs of the majority of children and young people under the age of 19. There may be a small number of children and young people, who are eligible for assistance, where it is appropriate to travel to and from school using train services in these cases a travel card may be provided. To be eligible the child or young person must:

• Along with their parent/carer, live in Croydon • Be of statutory school age and in Year 11 or below • Be attending or have secured a place at the nearest appropriate qualifying

school • Live outside the statutory walking distance of 2 miles for child under eight

years and 3 miles for a young person aged eight and over or: • Live within the statutory walking distance but be unable to walk to school

accompanied as necessary because of the nature of the route • Be unable to travel accompanied as necessary using the TfL free bus scheme

on any London Journey Planner timetabled journey in less than 75 minutes. • Be attending their nearest school preferred on grounds of religion or belief

(the school must be selected on genuine grounds of religion or belief, evidence of adherence will be requested to support the application).

• Additional exceptional circumstances may be considered (see definitions page for examples of exceptional circumstances).

Additional support for children and young people from low income families: In addition to the above criteria, children and young people from low income families (those who are entitled to free school meals or who are in receipt of the maximum level of working tax credits) are afforded additional rights:

• For children between the ages of eight and 11, from low income families, the three mile walking distance is lowered to 2 miles.

• Young people of compulsory school age over the age of 11 years, from low income families, may be eligible for travel assistance to any of their nearest three qualifying schools where those schools are between two miles (measured using the shortest walking route) and six miles (measured using the shortest driving route) from the family home

• Young people of compulsory school age over the age of 11 years from low income families may be eligible for travel assistance to their nearest school preferred on grounds of religion or belief where that school is more than two


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miles (measured using the shortest walking route) but less than 15 miles (measured using the shortest driving route) from the family home.

Consideration will be given to:

• The age of the child or young person • The school attended reasons for attendance at a specific school and if a

closer appropriate school is/was available at the time of allocation. • Distance from home to school • Length of journey • The nature of the route to be travelled • Ability to travel alone or accompanied • Parental income or whether the child or young person is in receipt of free

school meals (only where applications are made under the low income category)

• Whether the child or young person has mobility problems, a disability and or special educational needs not provided for by a statement of SEN.

• Whether the child or young person has been permanently excluded or a managed transfer has been negotiated

• Any other exceptional circumstances applicable to each case SECTION 3: The application and assessment process (applies to all applicants) The application process is designed to be as simple as possible whilst ensuring that full consideration is given to the specific needs of the child or young person. Parents should allow up to 30 working days from the date of application to the start of any assistance provided. The application process is dealt with in three stages; Stage 1: Application The parent/carer must make a formal application for travel support before any assistance is considered. Application forms can be obtained from:

• http://www.croydon.gov.uk/education/schools/sen/home to school • By telephoning the SEN team on 020 8726 6000 ext 62990 or 62755

Each application will be acknowledged within 5 working days of receipt of the application. An initial evaluation of the application will then determine whether assistance is likely to be approved, declined or whether further assessment is required. The parent/carer will be informed in writing of the outcome of the application. Stage 2: Assessment This stage will include the gathering and evaluation of written evidence and family circumstances. This may include a home visit, consultation with the child or young person’s school/caseworkers and any other relevant specialists.


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This stage will normally be completed within 15 working days following stage 1 depending on the complexity of the circumstances. It is possible at this stage that the application may be declined. Stage 3: Implementation It is for the Council to decide what type of travel assistance would suitably meet the needs for each individual child or young person. Once a decision has been made, the parent/carer will be invited in to complete the final paperwork and sign the necessary forms before the travel solution can be implemented. Assistance will normally be implemented within 10 working days following the completion of the assessment stage. In some cases travel assistance will be granted on a time limited basis and a reapplication or submission of further information will be required in order to secure continued assistance. Travel assistance reviews All children and young people’s eligibility for travel assistance will be regularly reviewed. Eligibility for travel assistance will be discussed at the child or young person’s school as part of the annual review of statement. Parents/carers should attend the review in order to consider whether or not travel assistance continues to be appropriate. Where travel assistance has been granted on a time limited basis further information will be sought prior to the end of the agreed assistance period to enable a timely review to take place. The Council may also review eligibility for travel assistance for targeted groups of pupils by a scheduled meeting or via telephone contact. Non engagement by parents/carers in any of these reviews may result travel assistance being removed. Travel assistance will also be reviewed when there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a change in home address or a change in the child or young person’s needs. It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to notify the Council immediately of any changes that may affect the provision of travel assistance. Any changes will be implemented from the beginning of the next school term or sooner by mutual agreement. Cessation of support The Council has the right to review and remove travel assistance from families where it is proven that assistance was obtained via a fraudulent application or where the child or young person’s individual circumstances have changed which results in either the child or young person no longer being eligible for support or has been assessed as not requiring such support. It may also cease on the written request of the parent who, if necessary has made alternative arrangements for their child or young person’s travel to school.


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Transport charges for children or young people that are NOT eligible In some circumstances parents/carers may wish to pay a charge to Croydon Council in order to receive travel support for their child if they do not meet eligibility criteria contained within this policy. Examples may include but are not limited to:

• A sibling of an eligible child or young person attending the same school • An child or young person whose application has been rejected but whose

parent/carer wishes them to be transported Where the Council agrees to transport children or young people on a vehicle who are not eligible for travel assistance under this policy, it will only be where a space is available on a pre-existing route, subject to a risk assessment and the charge will be worked out on a ‘per seat’ basis. The Council cannot guarantee the availability of a seat on a route and where transport is provided it may be withdrawn where it is required for an eligible child or young person following 10 working days notice. Appeals If an application for travel assistance is not approved by the Council or the parent/carer disagrees with the type of assistance being offered, parent/carers have a right of appeal. The appeal should be made in writing within14 days of the decision letter being received by the parents/carers. Appeals are administered in 2 stages: Stage 1: Review of evidence Within 5 working days of the appeal form being received, the parent/carer will be sent confirmation that their appeal has been received and that their appeal is under review. Further evidence may be requested to support the appeal and consultation with case workers and professional bodies may be required. Stage 1 appeals are decided by the appropriate Head of Service and parents should receive their decision letter within 10 days of their appeal form being received. Stage 2: Independent review of evidence If the parent/carer remains dissatisfied with the outcome, they should notify the Council in writing within 14 days of receiving their stage 1 appeal decision.


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The appeal will then be considered independently of the service and will involve consideration of all evidence gathered and the reasons for the decision being made. Parents should receive their decision letter within 20 days of their appeal being received. During the appeals process no new travel assistance will be provided or in the case of existing arrangements, no change will be implemented. Complaints Once travel assistance has been agreed any concerns regarding the provision of the service should be made in the first instance to the SEN team or in the case of vehicle transport to the Passenger transport service (PTS) on: 020 8686 2215, parents/carers will be given these details. Any formal complaints should be handled through the Council's formal complaints process by contacting the Complaints officer on: 020 8255 2786. SECTION 4: Additional Information Exceptional circumstances: the following are examples of exceptional circumstances: a pre school child who has a statement, a student has been temporarily moved out of their home due to violence or eviction, the child has been excluded and a new place has been negotiated, a managed move has been negotiated, pupils in their final year of primary or secondary school who move houses. Each case will be considered on its own merits, examples listed here are not exhaustive and do not automatically qualify for travel assistance. Home address: the address where the child resides. Where a child spends time with both parents/carers in separate homes and both have parental responsibility, the Council will need to establish where the majority of school nights (Sunday to Thursday) are spent and treat that as the home address. Low income families: Children whose parents are in receipt of the maximum level of working tax credit or children who are entitled to free school meals. Qualifying school: A qualifying school includes community, foundation and voluntary aided schools, community or foundation special schools, non-maintained special schools, City Technology Colleges and Academies. Standard journey times prior to assistance being offered: The Council considers a reasonable standard journey time to be 75 minutes. Statutory school age: children and young people aged from five years of age up to the last day of the school year when they reach 16 years of age. Statutory walking distance: statutory walking distance is two miles for pupils aged up to eight and three miles for those aged eight and over. The statutory walking distance is measured by the shortest route along which a child accompanied as necessary may walk with reasonable safety. Walking routes are measured using AA/RAC web maps.


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Useful contact details: SEN Team 1st Floor Davis House, Robert Street Croydon CR0 1QQ Tel: 020 8726 6000 ext 62990 or 62755 Passenger Transport Service Tel: 020 8686 2215 Croydon Council is grateful to Southwark Council for permission to adapt and adopt their policy.


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Appendix A: Vehicle Transport Service Standards and Expectations

The SEN team and the Passenger transport service are responsible for arranging and overseeing all methods of travel assistance provided to pupils with or without a statement of SEN. This includes, but is not limited to;

• Processing of new applications • Contacting parents/carers following the assessment process • Implementing agreed assistance i.e.: issuing travel cards/ allocating suitable

routes • Reviews of travel assistance • Managing provider contracts • Managing framework contract with licensed taxi providers • Day to day amendments/queries relating to travel assistance • Monitoring of transport providers • Investigating and responding to complaints

These service standards act as a guidance and clarity for the service users to whom travel assistance has been granted. Underlying these standards is the principle that, if Croydon Council agrees to provide travel assistance, it will be provided in a safe and cost effective manner, taking account of the child’s specific needs and with regard to the best use of the Council’s resources. Contents

1 Vehicles 2 Service personnel- Escorts / Drivers

3 Health and safety 4 Journey times

5 Vehicle waiting times (Mornings)

6 Vehicle waiting times (Afternoons)

7 Absences

8 Extra journeys

9 Travel assistance for parents/carers to attend meetings/events

10 Travel to residential schools

11 Safeguarding children

12 Behaviour standards


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1) Vehicles • All transport will be provided in accordance with contractual standards and

legislation. • All vehicles will be properly licensed • Regular monitoring of quality and service standards will take place on all

vehicles. • Vehicles will have specialist wheelchair access and wheelchair restraint

systems where necessary. • All vehicles will be road worthy, clean inside and out, fitted with seat belts and

carry emergency equipment i.e. fire extinguisher and first aid kit and any other equipment/notices required by law, e.g.: children sign on front and back of vehicle.

2) Service Personnel

Escorts

• The Council may provide an escort for children and young people who have severe physical or learning difficulties, challenging behaviours and anti-social behaviours where the child’s safety requires it, this will be determined during the assessment phase.

• Where large numbers of children who fulfil the eligibility criteria travel together, more than one escort may be required per vehicle.

• The need for an escort must be reviewed annually as part of the annual review. Escorts will not be provided where parents make their own travel arrangements.

• Where provided, the Council will make every effort to ensure the same escort is used on a regular basis. This may not always be possible due to staff shortages, illness, holidays, retirement and staff resignations. Changes may also be necessary from time to time to ensure the efficient use of resources.

• The escort should assist children on and off the vehicle and ensure they are seated safely while the vehicle is moving.

• Escorts should deliver children to a member of school staff on arrival at the school so that at no time are children left unattended on the vehicle.

• If the escort has a concern for any child in their care, the headteacher and the PTS will be informed.

• Escorts are not authorised to leave a child with anyone other than their parent/carer or named responsible adult (16+) identified in advance to the PTS in writing by the parent/carer.

• All escorts will have enhanced CRB clearance. • Escorts must carry and display suitable identification at all times. • Escorts must adhere to the Council’s no smoking policy • Escorts have strict instructions not to enter into any personal

arrangements with parents/carers, including changing pick up or drop off points without consulting the Council.


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Drivers

• Drivers must carry and display suitable identification at all times. • Drivers must have enhanced CRB clearance. • Drivers must, as far as possible, be punctual. • Drivers must ensure that all wheelchairs are securely clamped. • Drivers must treat parents and children with respect and avoid

confrontations. • Drivers must report any poor behaviour of passengers to their supervisor

and PTS. • Drivers must ensure that all passenger harness and restraint straps are

properly adjusted and fitted securely before the journey commences. • Drivers must adhere to the Council’s no smoking policy. • The driver is to stop, as close to the home address or collection point as

traffic conditions will safely permit. • The driver is not allowed to sound his horn to alert parents that they are

there. • Neither drivers nor escorts are responsible for taking a child across the

road if a parent/carer is waiting on the other side. • Every effort will be made to ensure the same driver is used on a regular

basis. This may not always be possible due to illness, holidays, retirement and staff resignations. Changes may also be necessary from time to time to ensure the efficient use of resources.

3) Health and safety

• All wheelchairs and buggies must be crash tested and transportable. • Transport providers are asked to ensure that all children are covered by a

Risk Assessment, which provides staff with information about the children in their care. The majority of children will fall within the boundaries of a generic risk assessment for transport, however in more complex cases a specific risk assessment will be written.

• Escorts are trained in basic First Aid and receive additional training specific to the child’s needs where necessary. However, in the event of an emergency, Escorts and drivers will contact 999 emergency services.

• No transport staff is permitted to administer medication to any passenger unless they are a medically trained nurse or carer.

• It is vital that parents/carers advise the PTS of any health concerns that may affect their child whilst on transport. Information regarding allergies, for example, even if not thought to be directly relevant to transport. A form detailing these needs must be completed when vehicle transport is agreed. This should be updated whenever the needs change.

• Children and young people are not permitted to consume food or drinks whilst on board a vehicle. This standard will be enforced to ensure the continuing safety of all passengers whilst travelling.

• It is the responsibility of parents/carers to ensure that arrangements are in place AM and PM to ensure the safe handover of their child.

• In the case of extreme weather conditions, transport services will not operate. Decisions are taken on the day by 6.30am and parents will be alerted via a text message.


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4) Journey times

• The Council will endeavour to ensure that pupils arrive at school fit to learn and recognise that the length of the journey to school can affect this aim. We expect the maximum length of journey for a pupil to schools within Croydon will be no more than 75 minutes.

• Journey times may be longer where pupils are travelling to schools and colleges outside of Croydon.

• On occasions there may be factors outside the Council’s control e.g. unforeseen traffic congestion or bad weather that may affect journey times.

• In certain circumstances it may be necessary for the Council to vary planned routes and this may affect pick up and drop off times. Where this is the case the Council will endeavour to contact parents/carers in advance to advise them.

• Pick up and drop off times affect journey times and will therefore not be altered to fit parental circumstances (for example, a parent’s work schedule)

5) Vehicle waiting times (Mornings)

• Parents/carers are expected to be available at home or at an agreed collection point, at an agreed time to meet transport in the morning.

• To keep journey times down to an absolute minimum and ensure that all pupils arrive at school on time, all vehicles will adhere to strict waiting time limits as follows: a) If a child is not ready, or not at the agreed collection point, the vehicle will

wait for a maximum of 3 minutes after the agreed pick up time and then move off. If this means the child is unable to travel on the organised vehicle, the parent/carer is then responsible for ensuring that the child gets to school on time.

b) If the vehicle arrives early for a pick up it will wait until the official set time and then a maximum of 3 minutes before moving off. If this means the child is unable to travel on the organised vehicle, the parent/carer is then responsible for ensuring that the child gets to school on time.

c) If the vehicle is running late for a pick up, the crew are expected to advise parents/carers of the delay as soon as possible

d) When a vehicle arrives at a family home or collection point, the horn will not be sounded. Parents/carers are expected to have their child ready and waiting to board the vehicle.

6) Vehicle waiting times (afternoons)

• Parents/carers must be available at home or the nominated collection point, at the regular drop off time, every afternoon to meet their child.

• Parents/carers must provide emergency contact details including an emergency address, located within Croydon, where their child can be dropped off.


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• In the event that a parent/carer is unable to meet their child at the specified time and location, the emergency contact details will be used. If unsuccessful and in a final resort, a place of safety will be used. It will then be the parents/carers responsibility to collect from that place.

• At times, parents/carers may need to make emergency alternative arrangements for the handover of their child to a nominated responsible adult, either at the home address or at an alternative address within Croydon. In these cases it is the parent/carer’s responsibility to notify the PTS and make suitable arrangements to ensure their child’s safety.

• In circumstances where vehicles are delayed or late arriving the parent/carer should contact the PTS. The team will take steps to directly address the situation with the provider.

• Where no responsible adult is available to meet a child from transport on more than two occurrences, travel assistance will be reviewed and may be suspended or permanently withdrawn. In such circumstances parents/carers will be responsible for ensuring their child’s regular attendance at school

7) Absences

• Where a child cannot attend school on any particular day due to illness it is the parents/carers responsibility to;

a) Contact the PTS the day before travel is required, if it is known that the child will be off school the next day or; b) Contact the PTS as early as possible in the morning of the day their child is due to travel, if the child has only just begun to show signs of illness.

• When travel assistance is cancelled due to illness, with no specified

timeframe, it will only be reinstated when the parent/carer notifies the PTS. This advice should be given on the day before the child is due to return to school.

• Travel assistance will be reviewed, and may be suspended for a period of time or permanently withdrawn, if it becomes apparent that vehicles are not being cancelled with sufficient advance warning. Parents/carers will be responsible for ensuring their child’s regular attendance at school in such circumstances.

8) Extra journeys

• The provision of travel assistance extends only to journeys to and from school at the beginning and the end of the school day.

• Travel assistance is not provided on any other occasions, for example travel between schools, sports facilities, other curriculum activities and medical appointments.

• There are some instances where this can be waived for example, where a child has to attend an after school class as part of their education or related work experience / examinations at a different location other than school. This will be agreed on an individual basis and for a specified time period.

• In cases of exclusion, illness etc, if a child has to go home during the course of the school day the parent / carer would be responsible for transport.


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• Where a child attends more than one school, they may require additional transport. The school, which is the child’s main school, will be responsible for arranging and meeting the cost of such transport.

• Where a child is based full time at a school, but visits other schools or a Pupil Referral Unit, the school where the pupil is ‘on roll’ will be responsible for arranging transport and for the cost of such transport. Parents/carers should, in these circumstances, address any issues directly to the child’s school

9) Travel Assistance for parents/carers to attend meetings/events

• Where a parent/carer is required to attend school for a meeting/event, it is their responsibility to make their own travel arrangements. However, subject to the following conditions, parents/carers may be allowed to travel on their child’s vehicle:

(a) Permission is granted by the PTS prior to the journey (this is essential for insurance purposes); (b) There is a spare seat available on the vehicle; (c) The vehicle is not diverting from its regular route. (d) There are no other children on the vehicle

10) Travel to residential schools

• Children and young people normally attend residential schools on the following basis: weekly, termly and 52 weeks. Where a child attends weekly and meets the travel assistance criteria, assistance will be weekly to and from school. Where the placement is termly, assistance will be offered at the beginning of term, beginning of half term, end of half term and end of term. Where placement is for 52 weeks there will be a one off travel assistance to the placement until the young person leaves the placement permanently.

• Where a parent wishes their child to come home outside any of the above times it will be their responsibility to arrange travel.

• In general, on vehicle transport, children and young people will be picked up from their home address. However, in some circumstances transport will be from a central pick-up point. Children and young people are expected to travel to the pick-up point by public transport with an accompanying adult where possible; a travel warrant will be issued to cover the cost of the journey.

• The Council will consider all the available travel assistance options in relation to these placements including personal transport budgets and independent travel training.

11) Safeguarding children and young people

• All children and young people must be handed over to a responsible adult at the drop off address within Croydon, provided by parent/carer. Drivers and


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escorts are not permitted to leave children and young people with any person under the age of 16 or who is not an ‘authorised’ adult.

• Prior to starting transport, the PTS will request details of any authorised adult and/or emergency contact details for any person who a child or young person can be handed over to in the event of an emergency.

• A child or young person should never be removed from a vehicle anywhere on a route other than at the normal setting down point for that journey. The exception to this would be long distance journeys making pre-agreed rest stops or in emergencies.

• All drivers and escorts are instructed to report any incidents, concerns or queries to the PTS. The team will then liaise with parents/carers, schools and colleagues in social care where appropriate.

12) Behaviour Standards

• Children, parents, schools, transport operators and the Council all have a role to play in ensuring the appropriate behaviour of children on school transport.

• Whilst escorts have a responsibility for safeguarding children and ensuring discipline on the vehicle during the course of the journey, schools will take whatever steps possible to ensure the appropriate behaviour of their children on home to school transport; and will take appropriate action should incidents of poor behaviour be reported. Appropriate action may include the use of sanctions, written warnings and exclusion from transport. Parents are also expected to take responsibility for their child’s behaviour.

• Where a child or young person’s behaviour is directly as a result of a known and diagnosed medical condition and it is agreed by medical advisors and teachers that the child or young person has no control over their behaviour, the Council will undertake a risk assessment and will consider making alternative arrangements, for example, providing the parent/carer with a personal transport budget to make their child’s own travel arrangements.

• It is however recognised, that general poor behaviour, not directly attributable to a child or young person’s particular special educational needs and circumstances, cannot be taken into account when determining an appropriate safe travel plan. It is therefore paramount to have and to enforce clear standards of acceptable behaviour in the interests of ensuring a safe journey for all children, young people and staff as well as other road users.

• All reasonable adjustments will be made in cases where behaviour problems persist and it is judged that the safety of the passengers is endangered. Where reasonable adjustments cannot be made to deal with behaviour, transport can be withdrawn in individual cases and the Council will provide resources for parents to carry out this duty.

• In consultation with schools, the Council may be required to instigate permanent or fixed periods of exclusion from transport. Parents/carers will be responsible for transporting their children during any period of exclusion and ensuring their child’s regular attendance at school.

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Equality Impact Assessment – the process for analysing the effects on equality

Full EqIA template Guidance on completing equality impact assessment can be found on the council’s intranet, and should be read in full before completing your assessment. This template continues on from the initial equality impact assessment template, which should be completed first. Last updated: March 2011

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EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EqIA)

SECTION 1: SUMMARY OF EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EqIA)

1.1 Details of the Policy, Strategy, Function, Project or Activity

Title of EqIA: Special Educational Needs (SEN) Travel Assistance Programme

Date of EqIA: October 2011

State whether EqIA is on a policy, strategy, function, project or activity or a combination:

Programme that links to the council’s existing policy for home to school travel assistance (2008) running from April-November 2011.

Indicate whether it is a ‘new’ or an ‘existing’ policy, strategy, function, project or activity:

New

Existing

1.2 Details of the person responsible for the EqIA

Full Name: Alison Critchley

Position: Head of School Place Planning & Admissions

Department: Children, Families and Learning

Telephone number: 020 8760 5549

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1.3 What is the aim and objective of the policy, strategy, function, project or activity?

The SEN Travel Assistance Programme aims to provide a more personalised approach to the delivery of SEN transport services that supports positive outcomes for children and young people, and helps to drive down organisational costs through improved demand management. This work will take place through the delivery of key strands:

• Independent Travel Training (ITT) - working with schools, pupils with SEN, and parents of pupils with SEN to develop a strategy and communications plan that aims increase awareness of travel options

• Customer intelligence – developing organisational understanding of SEN clients and their families to ensure effective communication with service users

• Personal travel budgets (PTBs) – testing the financial benefits to the council of introducing PTBs as an alternative to traditional SEN transport. Engaging volunteer parents in piloting of personal travel budgets including contributing to the review and redesign

• Review of existing policy and eligibility criteria to ensure equality of opportunity, support for objectives for children and young people and alignment with the practice of neighbouring boroughs

The key principles that underpin the SEN Travel Assistance programme:

• Support for the development of independence, confidence and transition to adulthood for young people

• Safeguarding and the safety of the child are the highest priority

• Aims to offer choice and options on how children are transported to school

• Regular review and assessment to ensure the most appropriate assistance is provided

• Making the best use of resources, ensuring they are targeted to those most in need

Whilst the project is aiming to increase the independence and capacity for independent living of young people with SEN, it should be noted that we are taking a pilot approach at this stage to test approaches and options. Engagement in ITT and PTBs is currently an opt-in; voluntary scheme; children, young people and their parents/carers can choose to remain with their current form of SEN Transport service.

SECTION 2: SCOPING THE ASSESSMENT

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2.1 What information is currently available about the different protected groups that the policy, strategy, function, project or activity is likely to effect? (for examples see guidance)

There are over c. 950 pupils who currently receive an SEN Transport service. By the nature of the service, all service users have some form of disability and are under the age of 19, and therefore have two protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

The 2001 Census put the London Borough of Croydon’s population at 330,587, of which 63.7% were described as White British. The most significant other ethnic groups present across the Borough were Black/Black British: Caribbean (7.88%), Asian/Asian British: Indian (6.43%), Black/Black British: African (4.42%), and White Other (4.31%). The Croydon Observatory now estimates the Borough’s population to be approximately 340,000, and also suggests that around 40% of children and young people are from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups..

An analysis of the mosaic profile of those parents whose children use SEN transport indicated that the largest group aligned with the largest population group in Croydon, Group 1, ‘lower income workers in urban terraces in often ethnically diverse areas’ and suggests therefore that the profile and needs of the parents of children with SEN are typical of the borough. As a result of this it would be reasonable to consider any potentially variable impact the policy/project may have on different ethnic groups and people with different religions and beliefs.

The five complaints about the passenger transport service between Dec 2008 and March 2011 do not record equalities data. Assessment of eligibility for travel assistance does not require any information relating to ethnicity or religion. It does require description of a child (or parent’s if relevant) disability since this forms the basis of the assessment in line with the legal requirements. There has not been any analysis of the take-up of the service by different groups as the percentage take-up is high based on severity of need and distance from the specialist provision the child attends.

Looking at the wider context, plans approved by the Council’s Cabinet Committee in July 2011 to make a significant capital investment in the educational provision for pupils with special educational needs will increase the proportion of Croydon resident families who are able to access high quality educational provision, appropriate to their needs, closer to home. It is anticipated that this will lead to a reduced demand for travel assistance and increase the potential for young people to travel to school independently.

A web review of local and national parent/carer groups and forums, and the Equality Impact Assessments for other large authorities with similar projects or proposed changes to policies related to SEN transport has not highlighted any particular areas for special consideration in relation to variable impacts on protected groups outside of the two protected groups outlined earlier, e.g. disability and age. Resources reviewed include: Nottingham City SEN Transport EIA; Leicestershire County Council SEN Transport EIA; London Borough of Bexley SEN Transport EIA; Bracknell Forest Council SEN Transport EIA; the Croydon Parent Partnership Network, KIDS London Region; Interface Parent Forum.

2.2 What are your information gaps? For example service user data, or employment data on a particular protected group. What steps are you/have you taken to fill them as part of this assessment?

We do not currently collect any information on the sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership status or pregnancy/maternity situation

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of service users or their parents/carers. As specific issues facing these protected groups have not emerged through consultation, a review of service complaints from the past 12 months, or a review of SEN children parent/carer groups and forums on the web, we do not believe it will be necessary or efficient at this point to undertake further targeted research or engagement around these issues. Should issues relating to these equalities characteristics emerge at any point in the future, a more targeted review will be undertaken.

2.3 Who have you engaged with (staff, service users, community groups etc)? Describe the methods of engagement you used What are the issues arising from the engagement? What are the outcomes of this engagement? What engagement did not or could not take place?

A sample of parents and carers were engaged through focus groups in the winter of 2010 to understand their views of the service and test the ideas and new options for travel assistance. The outcomes of these groups informed the development of the SEN travel assistance programme which started in April 2011 including the development of strands of work that look at improving communication and interaction with the SEN service. The feedback from the groups did not suggest any issues relating to equality impact.

All parents and carers were telephoned in May 2011 to understand their values and what is important to them to inform the development of options and enable the service to improve the way in which it communicates with them. The survey also gave parents and carers an opportunity to express their level of satisfaction with the service. No record was made of the gender, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation or age in this survey.

Approximately 270 parents were invited to participate in a pilot scheme for personal transport budgets during the Autumn 2011. After 2 weeks, all parents were telephoned to check they had received the invite, check their understanding and interests, and record reasons why it was of interest or not. This data was fed into the review of the PTB in October 2011. The parents participating in the pilot (16 families) had an opportunity to feedback their experience and ideas for improvement through telephone interviews and a focus group at the end of September. Parents’ experience and views informed the review and the decision that the pilot should be extended.

The Parent Partnership Service run by KidS has been involved in the programme since May 2011 to ensure that account is taken of the views and experience of parents whose children have SEN. The PPS highlighted that some of the forms / letters sent by the service are not easy for parents to understand and these are now being reviewed and improved to respond to this feedback. No other issues relating to equality have been identified.

The head teachers of all 6 local special schools have been fully engaged in the programme from the beginning to ensure the programme is taking account of the special needs of the children and their families

A multi-agency workshop to engage staff from mainstream schools and health services in supporting the independence of young people was held in September 2011, which provided the opportunity to flag up any potential equality issues that had not emerged through consultation with health and education to date. Consultation on the draft SEN transport policy will seek views of current service users, their parents and carers, as well as voluntary sector groups who support the families of children with disabilities and other interested parties.

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SECTION 3: ANALYSING YOUR EQUALITY INFORMATION

3.1 From the information you have gathered (including information gathered to fill existing gaps) and the engagement you have undertaken how are each protected group affected (positively or negatively, or not affected at all)? What changes could be made to the policy, strategy, function, project or activity to mitigate a negative impact?

Age

Positive Impact

Negative Impact

None Brief detail of impact What changes could be made?

0–18 years

Yes Where children or young people and their parents/carers feel that it is appropriate, the proposal offers an opportunity to adopt a more personalized and empowering approach to travel to and from school and home. It also offers young people the opportunity to develop their independent living skills, which develops their confidence and transition to adult life

19-35

Yes Through the provision of Independent Travel Training, young people will have been supported to increase their capacity for independent living, and this will also enhance their transition from children’s to adult services and into independent life

36-65

None specifically identified

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Over 65 None specifically identified

Disability

Positive Impact

Negative Impact


Learning disability

Yes

Physical disability

Yes

Mental health

Yes

Deaf or hard of hearing

Yes

Visually impaired

Yes

Other, incl carers

Yes No

Where children or young people and their parents/carers feel that it is appropriate, the proposal offers an opportunity to adopt a more personalized and empowering approach to transport to and from school and home. It also offers young people the opportunity to develop their independent living skills, which develops their confidence and transition to adult life which can have a positive impact on parents and carers too Parents and carers will have the opportunity to take control of their child’s travel arrangements and manage a PTB to give them greater choice and flexibility that fits in with their personal circumstances Where parents feel this arrangement is no longer suitable for them, they have the opportunity under the existing arrangements and policy to revert back to using transport for

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their child provided by the council

Gender/Sex

Positive Impact

Negative Impact


Female


Male


Gender reassignment


Race/Ethnicity

Positive Impact

Negative Impact


Asian


Black


White


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Mixed


Other, such as Travellers


Religious/Faith Groups

Positive Impact

Negative Impact


Buddhist None specifically identified

Christian None specifically identified

Hindu None specifically identified

Jewish None specifically identified

Muslim None specifically identified

Sikh None specifically

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identified

No religion/faith None specifically identified

Other None specifically identified

Sexual Orientation

Positive Impact

Negative Impact


Heterosexual None specifically identified

Lesbian None specifically identified

Gay None specifically identified

Bisexual None specifically identified

Pregnancy and maternity

Pregnancy and Positive Negative None Brief detail of impact What changes could be made?

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maternity Impact Impact


Marriage and civil partnership

Positive Impact

Negative Impact


Marriage/civil partnership


3.2 From the information you have gathered and the engagement you have undertaken describe how the policy, strategy, function, project or activity actively enables the council to meet its public duties to:

Advance equality of opportunity between different groups of people by removing or minimizing disadvantages

Pupils with disabilities attending specialist provision are often distanced from their local communities. The development of independent travel training will allow them to potentially travel to school with their peers. It will also allow them greater access to the local community during leisure time and in future adult life. The introduction of PTBs will allow greater choice in home to school travel similar to non-disabled peers.

Advance equality of opportunity between different groups of people by taking steps to meet needs

Advance equality of opportunity between different groups of people by encouraging participation in public life

The project/proposal aims to facilitate an increase in the independence and capacity for independent living of children and young people with SEN through personal travel budgets (PTB) and independent travel training (ITT). By learning to travel independently – an essential life skill - children and young people will be engaging and participating in public life to a greater degree than has previously been achieved. It is anticipated that this will develop their confidence and capacity for independent living and so facilitate further increases in access to opportunities (social, employment or educational) leading to further advantages as the young person matures.

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Eliminate discrimination

Eliminate harassment By building the confidence of young people with SEN through travel training the programme may minimise any risk of harassment or discrimination that young people with disabilities may experience in public life

Eliminate victimisation

Foster good relations between different groups and communities by tackling prejudice

Foster good relations between different groups and communities by promoting understanding

3.3 Having considered the potential or actual effect of the policy, strategy, function, project or activity on equality make an informed judgment about what should be done (more than one may apply)?

Outcome Definition (more information is available in the guidance) Judgment (Y/N)

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Outcome 1: no major change

Your assessment demonstrates that the policy is robust and the evidence shows no potential for discrimination and that you have taken all appropriate opportunities to advance equality and foster good relations between groups.

Yes

Outcome 2: adjust the policy

This involves taking steps to remove barriers or to better advance equality and introducing measures to mitigate the potential effect.

Outcome 3: continue the policy

This means adopting your proposals, despite any adverse effect or missed opportunities to advance equality, provided you have satisfied yourself that it does not unlawfully discriminate. Yes

Outcome 4: stop and remove the policy

If there are adverse effects that are not justified and cannot be mitigated, you will want to consider stopping the policy altogether. If a policy shows unlawful discrimination it must be removed or changed.

3.4 Planning actions – please record all actions arising from the assessment, with clear targets, milestone and lines of responsibility.

Protected group1 Action (SMART) Intended Outcome Completion Date Lead Officer Lead Partner2

(a) (d)

Publish SEN transport policy consultation document on internet

Users views taken into account to inform final policy

January 2012 Head of School Place Planning & Admissions

(a) (d)

Send letter to all stakeholders alerting them to consultation

Users views taken into account to inform final policy

January 2012 Head of School Place Planning & Admissions

1 Enter in this column which of the protected characteristics that the action encompasses: race/ethnicity (r), disability (d), age (a), sexual orientation (so), gender/sex (g), religion/belief (rb), gender reassignment (gr), marriage and civil partnerships (m), pregnancy and maternity (pm). 2 If appropriate.

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3.5 Please indicate the risks and what will be done to address them? Risks may need to be recorded in your risk register.

Risk/ issues identified

Action required Resource implications

Timescales Lead Officer Expected outcome

Progress

SECTION 4: MONITORING AND REVIEW

4.1 Equality impact assessment is an ongoing process that does not end once a policy, strategy, function, project or activity has been agreed or implemented.

Question Response

How will you measure the effects of the policy on equality?

Given the small size of the PTB pilot it would be difficult to draw conclusions regarding equalities issues on take-up. However as the pilot is extended it should be possible to use information already collated regarding the pupils concerned to further analyze take-up. Similarly the take-up of ITT could be regularly monitored.

All complaints will be monitored for any issues that may affect specific protected groups.

When will the policy be reviewed? The existing Home to School travel assistance policy (dated 2008) is currently being reviewed in the light of this programme. A first draft is due in early November to be finalized following the outcome of the ITT and PTB pilots. It will be regularly reviewed once finalized.

What type of equality information is needed for monitoring and how often will it be analysed?

The current Educational Management System contains information relating to gender, age, ethnicity and type of SEN. This can be used to monitor take-up of PTB and ITT as the programmes are rolled out to larger groups.

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How will stakeholders be engaged in the implementation, monitoring and review?

Outcomes will be regularly reported to the new partnership sub group for learning difficulties and disabilities which as a board membership. Engagement will continue with Special School head teachers and parent groups.

5.1 Before sending the EqIA to be approved by the relevant director use the following checklist to ensure the process is completed. The completed initial EqIA should also be checked.

Y/N

The EqIA clearly outlines the purpose of the policy, strategy, function, project or activity? (initial and full assessment template) Y

The EqIA clearly outlines how the policy, strategy, function, project or activity relates to equalities and to the council’s public duties? (initial and full assessment template)

Y

The EqIA clearly outlines the evidence available and the information gathered for the assessment? (full template only) Y

The EqIA clearly outlines the community engagement undertaken for the assessment? (full template only) Y

The EqIA clearly identifies the impact on each protected group based on the information available and how the policy, strategy, function, project or activity enables the council to meets its public duties? (full template only)

Y

Final judgement has been made based on the evidence available? (full template only) Y

The EqIA identifies SMART actions and identifies risks? (full template only) N

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The EqIA includes information on how the policy, strategy, function, project or activity will be monitored and reviewed? (full template only)

Y

SECTION 6: DECISION MAKING AND PUBLICATION

6.1 I agree with the outcome of the above EqIA and actions arising, and have integrated the outcome into the policy decision

Lead Officer

Name

Signature

Date

Lead Director

Name

Signature

Date

Date sent to corporate equalities and cohesion team ([email protected])

THIS SECTION TO BE COMPLETED BY THE CORPORATE EQUALITIES AND COHESION TEAM

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