SS15 124 SEN Home to School Transport - Bulk Routes

This requirement from the Growth, Environment and Transport Directorate is for the provision of Home to School Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transport. The Council procures and manages transport for children/students with special educational needs in line with the requirements placed on it by Government, through the home to school statutory guidance: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/445407/Home_to _School_Travel_and_Transport_Guidance.pdf Within the Council the management of SEN transport is the responsibility of the Client Transport Team (CTT), which forms part of the Public Transport Department.

This team is responsible for the co-ordination of a range of transport services for children and vulnerable young adults to and from various establishments within and outside of Kent. Transport services include; home to school transport for children with special educational needs and home to college transport for young adults with special educational needs.

Following a pilot undertaken in early 2016, when the transport services to three main special schools in Kent were tendered on the basis of one school, one operator, the Council is looking to implement this concept across further schools in Kent. Feedback from transport operators following the pilots has been built into the implementation program.

The one school one operator concept has been modified, now school transport lots are being offered on the basis of a taxi/private hire lot and a PSV (bus) lot, so that operators of the related specialism are able to tender accordingly. Lots have been planned so that the operating area is as constrained as possible, so providing a mass, within a local area which could be a district or two districts.

There are four schools in scope being tendered: - Wyvern School - Broomhill Bank School - Ifield School - Foreland School There will be a requirement on a number of journeys to provide vehicle/client passenger assistants and these are detailed in Appendix A, Pricing Schedule. The Contractor will be required to deliver SEN children/students to school in a safe and efficient manner, ensuring they are ready for learning.

They will be expected to deliver them home at the end of the day, in a safe and efficient manner. The Contractor will also be expected to embed a pro-active communication process which takes into account the requirements of the Council, school and the parents/guardians of the individual client.

The schools and colleges identified in this tender provide education for pupils with a wide range of special educational needs from complex or severe learning difficulties, sensory impairments, physical difficulties and challenging behaviour. Additional information: Instructions to Suppliers: Expressions of interest will only be accepted via the Kent Business Portal. https://www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk) In order to submit your interest in this opportunity please select the 'Login and Express an Interest' button located at the bottom of the page.

Note that in order to successfully submit your interest you will first need to register for an account. After registration is complete and you've received your login details you should return to the advert for the opportunity and express your interest. You will then be emailed an invitation to submit a response to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire.