Special Needs Transport

Passenger Transport Services (PTS) is responsible for organising and managing home-to-school transport for over 400 pupils with special needs, on behalf of the Local Education Authority (LEA). These pupils go to around 40 different schools, with the vast majority placed in schools within Swindon, but in common with other local authorities there are a number whose educational needs cannot currently be met locally. These pupils attend schools in other parts of the country, often staying as boarders.

If your child has a statement of special educational needs then he or she may be eligible for free transport to and from home and school. The Special Education Needs Assessment Team (SENAT) of the LEA will consider whether your child is eligible as part of the statutory assessment process and if so will authorise PTS to make appropriate arrangements.

Transport is provided under contract by local minibus and taxi/private hire companies. Major contracts are normally let on a five-yearly basis. Currently this transport costs just over £1.3 million per year.

Vehicles and drivers are provided by these companies and the Council directly employs around 70 special needs escorts to travel with the children. Both escorts and drivers are required to have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance to work with children, and new escorts are trained in accordance with the national standard Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS).

We are often looking for people to work as escorts, particularly as relief cover for sickness absences, so if you would like to find out more about possible job opportunities please ring Roger Haworth on 466215.

Contact

Details for the team responsible for day-to-day operational management are as follows:

Swindon Borough Council
Premier House
Station Road
Swindon
SN1 1TZ