Special Needs and Social Services Transport is provided by the Passenger Transport Services (PTS) Team within Swindon Borough Council.

Schools

If your child has a statement of special educational needs then he or she may be eligible for free transport to and from home and school. The Special Education Needs Assessment Team (SENAT) of the Children Services directorate will consider whether your child is eligible as part of the statutory assessment process and if so will authorise PTS to make appropriate arrangements.

Colleges

PTS also organises and manages free home-to-centre transport for around 300 clients attending day centres and for some students attending college.

Day Centres

Individual day centre managers assess who is eligible for transport, and the Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities (CTPLD) determines eligibility for their clients, including some students attending college.

Ad-Hoc, Emergency and Older People's Transport

PTS is also responsible for organising and managing ad-hoc and emergency transport. This includes taking children in foster placements to and from school, respite placements, family contact and appointments. Transport is also provided for older people for respite. All transport requirements are identified by individual social workers.

The Transport

Transport is provided under contract by local minibus and taxi/private hire companies as well as the Council’s arms-length contractor, Swindon Commercial Services.

Can You Help?

The Council directly employs escorts to travel with children and in some cases adults. Both escorts and drivers are required to have Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance to work with children and vulnerable adults, and new escorts are trained in accordance with the national standard Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS).

We are often looking for people to work as escorts, particularly as relief cover for sickness absences, so to find out more about possible job opportunities please ring 01793 466216.

Further Information/Contact

Roger Haworth
Special Needs and Social Services Transport Officer
Swindon Borough Council
Wat Tyler House
Beckhampton Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

E-mail: rhaworth@swindon.gov.uk
Tel: 01793 466215
Fax: 01793 466458

Please see the Council Building Location Map.