SEN & SEN(D)
Special Education Needs School Transport
You are responsible for a SEN or SEND child are you
are looking to organise transport.
1x Student
( No Assistant)
I am a parent who needs to organise transport for one child travelling to their school.
1x Student
(+ Carer)
The student will be travelling with yourself or a professional carer to school.
1x Student
(+ Acura Escort)
The student requires a Professional Travel Assistant to travel with them.
Term dates 2024 / 2025
Doncaster Borough Council 2024 / 2025
Monday 2nd September 2024 to Thursday 24th July 2025.
| Term 1 | Autumn Term Mon 2nd Sept’24 Fri 20rd Dec’24 | Autumn Half Term Schools Close Fri 25th Oct’24 Schools Return Mon 4th Nov’24 |
| Term 2 | Spring Term Mon 6th Jan”25 Fri 28th Mar’25 | Spring Half Term Schools Close Fri 17th Feb’25 Schools Return Mon24th Feb’25 |
| Term 3 | Summer Term Tues 6th May’25 Thurs 24th July’25 | Summer Half Term Schools Close Fri 26th May’25 Schools Return Mon 2nd Jun’25 |
(Academies, Free Schools and Church Schools may be different).
Source: DMBC
North East Lincolnshire Council 2024 / 2025
| Term 1 | Autumn Term Wed 4th Sept’24 to Fri 20th Dec’24 | Autumn Half Term Schools Close on Fri 18th Oct’24 Schools Return on Mon 28th Oct’24 |
| Term 2 | Spring Term Mon 6th Jan’25 Monday 31st Mar ’25 | Spring Half Term Schools Close on Fri 14th Feb’25 Schools Return on 24th Feb’25 |
| Term 3 | Summer Term Wed 23rd Apr’25 Fri 18th July’25 | Summer Half Term Schools Close on Fri 23rd May’25 Schools Return 2nd Jun’25 |
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council 2024 / 2025
| Term 1 | Autumn Term Mon 2nd Sept’24 to Fri 20th Dec’24 | Autumn Half Term Schools Close on Fri 25th Oct’24 Schools Return on Mon 4th Nov’24 |
| Term 2 | Spring Term Mon 6th Jan’25 Monday 4th Apr ’25 | Spring Half Term Schools Close on Fri 14th Feb’25 Schools Return on 24th Feb’25 |
| Term 3 | Summer Term Wed 22rd Apr’25 Fri 18th July’25 | Summer Half Term Schools Close on Fri 23rd May’25 Schools Return 2nd Jun’25 |
Need more information…
Are you approved by the Local Authority?
Yes. Acura Travel is a licensed Private Hire operator.
Acura Travel is also an approved transport supplier for SEND transport.
Are you drivers trained on Wheelchair & Disability?
Yes.
All drivers have had training and/or certification of wheelchair handling and safe transportation.
Can children eat and drink in the vehicle?
The rules about food and drink in the vehicle vary depending on the children being transported.
For children with Special Education Needs (can the eaty and drink in the vehicle?)
Yes – circumstances depending. Children that have diverse learning needs and support in their learning are permitted to have food and drink, yes and this does depend on the circumstances for the individual child or children. To provide an example, one particular child used food as a comforter and soother not eating the food but arranging the food as shapes to repack the food, whereas with other children they may be supported with a Travel Assistant or Escort.
When Special Education Needs does not apply (can they eat and drink in the vehicle?)
Yes – circumstances depending. Some School Runs are very local and the journies are within 8 to 12 miles, however some journys can be much longer and involve motorway driving over long distances and in this case we permit water and leave the discretion to the driver.
Do you drivers supply food or drink?
No. Drivers ‘must’ not, should not and will not offer children drink or food at any time in the course of normal operation of our service. In there is a non medical emergency their safeguarding intervention will kick in as they do carry water in the vehicle for emergencies. Due to children being under 18 years of age, your children will not be offered food or drink – any food or drink must be given to the children by yourselves.
Do you do Risk Assessments around for transport?
Yes.
Basic Transport Risk Assessment
Yes – we have a Risk Assessment that all drivers are trained on for Basic Transport.
If you require a copy of our Risk Assessment this can be supplied.
Special Education Needs & Disability (SEND) Risk Assessment
Yes – we have a separate Risk Assessment for Special Education Needs transport.
If you require a copy of our Risk Assessment this can be supplied.
Wheelchair Risk Assessment
Yes. We conduct an individual Risk Assessment for each School Run that involves a wheelchair to ensure that the vehicle assigned for the transports meets the needs of the children. We only use vehicles that allow for children to be front facing during the journey and the risk assessment covers safe handling, the correct use of the straps on the specific wheelchair and the height and position of the seatbelt harness to ensure safety. An individual Risk Assessment is done because wheelchairs vary from child to child.
Would you like to drive for us?
Driving for Acura Travel can be incredibly rewarding, to find out more about working for us as part of school transport team, click here.