Special-purpose road passenger-transport services

Tender description

1. Service Description: 1.1. The Local Authority has a duty to make arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to travel to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated Health and Safety issues relating to their special educational needs or disability (SEND). 1.2. For pupils with SEN/mobility difficulties, including temporary medical conditions entitlement to transport is considered on an individual basis and regularly reviewed following an assessment of the child's ability to walk to school, having regard to their special educational needs, disability and/or mobility problems where relevant, and taking into account any exceptional circumstances. Cases are considered on an individual basis and relevant London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Home-to-School Travel Assistance Policy supporting independent professional evidence is required before transport is agreed and regularly reviewed following an assessment of the child’s ability to walk to school. 1.4. For vulnerable Adults, the local authority has a statutory duty to provide social care support under the Care Act 2014 to residents who qualify for support under the national eligibility criteria, both for those who cannot fund their care but also for those who can. Their eligible needs are those that are determined after an assessment. As part of the assessment it may be deemed that a person requires transportation as part of a holistic package to meet a need. 2. Service Aims: 2.1. The aim of the service is to provide safe, sensitive and reliable travel solutions for service users. Their needs are a key factor for this contract and are as follows: — Safe: The safety of each service user under your care is the most important element. It should be evident in every aspect of the service including staff employment, training and processes and vehicle procurement and maintenance. — Sensitive: Contractors and their staff should understand the needs of the service user groups and treat them appropriately. Staff turnover and variations in their schedules should be minimised to relieve or prevent anxiety amongst vulnerable service users. — Reliable: Vehicles must arrive at the right location and on time, every time. 2.2. The Contract will cover the transportation of children on various regular scheduled journeys using specialist vehicles. Service users using the service are likely to be vulnerable and may suffer from a severe learning disability, behaviour which can be challenging, have sensory or hearing difficulties, an autistic spectrum disorder or another physical disability. Because of these needs, all journeys will require that a Passenger Assistant be provided to accompany them. 2.3. Practically speaking, this will involve the transportation of approximately 300-400 children and young people and vulnerable adults to and from designated points within the borough too either small number of special schools (children and young people) to coincide with the start and end of the school day, or day settings (vulnerable Adults) at various times throughout the day. 2.4. This is a service that is currently delivered by a Council run passenger transport service, with a permanent staff group and a leased fleet of buses. The purposes of this exercise will be to gather interest from providers who may be willing to operate this services on behalf of the Council in future. 2.4. A full specification can be made available upon request, including details of the specific Lot requirements.