The council has produced advice leaflets to help make sure that home to school transport journeys are as safe as possible. The code of conduct and general guidelines explains what we do to ensure the services we provide are safe and sets out the standard of behaviour we expect from people who use our services. It includes general information and advice which you may find useful. The leaflet called “Provision of Services during Bad Weather” has practical advice for schools, parents and operators about what to do if bad weather disrupts school transport services. You can also check school term dates and school training dates.

If you have been issued with a travel permit you should have it available for inspection when you are using a school transport service. If you lose the permit or it becomes illegible then you can get a replacement by clicking here and emailing your name, address, school attended and route number if known.

The following guidance notes will help ensure that school transport continues to be a safe way to travel to school:

• Arrange to be at the bus stop 5 minutes before the transport is due (10 mins for the first few days of term).
• It is parents’ responsibility to take and collect young children from the agreed pick up point.
• Do not leave young children unsupervised.
  In the morning, children should wait no longer than 15 minutes after the transport is due before seeking help.
• Make sure your child knows what to do if the transport is late or does not arrive.
• Teach your child how to cross the road safely to and from the bus stop.
• Make sure your child knows the safest route to and from home if they are unaccompanied.
• Ensure that your child knows that seatbelts, where fitted on school transport vehicles, must be worn.
• Beware of coats and bags catching in doors.
• A Travel Permit is only valid on the service for which it is issued and for use only by the individual named on the permit.

If there are complaints that involve your child, these will normally be investigated through the school. If your child is found to have behaved in an unacceptable way then any of the normal range of sanctions used by the school may be applied. This could include exclusion from school. In addition, the following may also be applied:

• Your child may be asked to sit at the front of the vehicle for a set period of time.
• Your child may be suspended from all school transport services for a period of time.
• The police may be asked to investigate and take action as appropriate.
• You will be expected to meet the cost of repairing any damage caused by your child.