Children's Social Care
Who is this section for?
Home to school transport for children who are looked after.
The educational attainment of children and young people in the care of Knowsley Council (children looked after) is a high priority, and it is the aim of the Council to ensure children and young people receive continuity of education.
For children looked after and young people who do not have an education and health care plan and who have an assessed need to attend school outside of the normal area where they live, whether in residential or foster care, it will be the responsibility of their carer to transport them to school and back. In exceptional circumstances, when this cannot be achieved alternative arrangements will be made.
For Children looked after who do have an Education and Health Care Plan the SEND service should provide home to school transport in the same way they would for any other child.
Arrangements should be made at the initial care planning meeting.
Transport to contact and other settings children for looked after
All efforts must be taken to secure safe and best value transport for children looked after, even when a rapid response is required or in the case of unforeseen circumstances.
Where possible, contact visits should be arranged as close as possible to where the child is living and/ or attending school.
Transport to family time visits
When necessary, the Council will provide transport for parents to attend family time visits with their children. The Council will reimburse public transport costs for attending family time visits on presentation of a valid ticket or receipt or will pay a pre agreed amount for petrol costs upon production of valid receipt.
Transport for parents attending Parenting Courses provided by the Authority by way of reimbursed bus fares on presentation of a valid ticket, in exceptional circumstances only.
When the need presents the Council will identify parenting courses and classes to offer parenting support. Travelling to and from the course/class is a parental responsibility unless safeguarding services identify exceptional circumstances in which case the Authority will reimburse travel expenses for personal car (at public transport rate of 16.4p a mile) or public transport use.
Other: There may be other circumstances when Children, Young people and their families are provided with transport on adhoc basis. This will be at the discretion of the child’s Social Worker and the Team Manager.
What support is available?
There are a range of options available. Discretion to attend meetings and appointments will be dependent on the assessed need of the child.
Is there a charge?
No