SEN Home to School Transport Tender, Exeter House School Salisbury, September 2016

This tender is for the provision of Home to school Transport for children with special educational needs to Exeter House School in Salisbury, from Salisbury and the surrounding area.

Wiltshire Council is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and vulnerable adults. We believe that all children, young people and vulnerable adults have an equal right to protection from abuse, regardless of their age, race, religion, ability, gender, language, background or sexual identity and consider the welfare of the child/ young person / vulnerable adult is paramount. Transport operators will be expected to work with the Council by ensuring that Safeguarding is at the heart of the operation of all contracted Journeys.

The service users who require transport in this Tender round are some of the most vulnerable in society and great care must be taken to ensure their safety and emotional wellbeing is upheld at all times. They can have complex physical and emotional needs and can become upset and distressed by sudden changes in arrangements or personnel and by their behaviour.
At times, Suppliers and their staff must be prepared to deal with volatile situations and should recognise that the transportation of these service users is not just about conveying them to and from school, but is also an extension of the School day. If they become distressed or agitated on transport, this can have a knock on effect when they arrive at School. This can affect the learning outcomes for them and their peer group, or if it is the afternoon journey, cause additional stress and issues for them and their families / carers.
Service users may have a mix of difficulties e.g.:

• learning difficulties
• mental health issues
• recognisable physical disability
• behavioural problems e.g. autism
• special educational needs
• hidden disability
• deafness or hearing loss
• blindness or depreciating sight
• Frail

Suppliers will be required to ensure that all their Staff are giving appropriate training so that they are aware of the potential levels of additional care and attention to the comfort and welfare that they will be expected to provide. At times some service users may require additional time to board or alight the vehicle; they should not be subject to undue pressure or bullying with the object of speeding them up but treated with care and compassion.

By tendering for these contracts suppliers will be undertaking to uphold the safety and dignity of service users at all times.