To receive the Executive Member for Children’s Services’ formal response to the Scrutiny Committee’s Home to School Transport Review.

The Committee received the Executive Member for Children’s Services’ formal response to the Scrutiny Committee’s Home to School Transport Review, with all recommendations agreed. The Vice-Chairman highlighted that there was no definitive guidance on DBS checks, but was content that the current procedures in place satisfied the Department for Education.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and the agreement of the recommendations welcomed.

To consider a report of the Vice Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee received a report of the Vice-Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee detailing the findings of the Home to School Transport Task and Finish Group.

Scrutiny of Home to School Transport was instigated as a result of difficulties encountered in late summer 2014 as a result of a reorganisation and revised procurement arrangements. Following an initial report on 26 November, 2014, the Vice-Chairman wanted to revisit the topic to see if the situation had improved. This report detailed the findings from a visit to Pictor School on 23 June, 2015, as well as discussions with Trafford Parents’ Forum.

The report highlighted a big improvement in the situation since the issues encountered in the previous year, and it was felt that the problems arose more from how the changes were implemented as opposed to the nature of the changes themselves. However, following the school visit and discussions with Trafford Parent’s Forum, eight recommendations were identified, which would be taken to the relevant Executive Member for a response.

The Acting Corporate Director, Children, Families and Wellbeing answered questions from Members. It was confirmed that the local authority had a statutory requirement to provide transport to children of statutory school age (5-16). Transport would only be provided to children outside of that age range in exceptional circumstances.

It was confirmed that drivers were required to have enhanced DBS checks every three years. The responsibility of obtaining these DBS checks was the drivers’ employers’, which mirrored the process followed across the council when using outside agencies.

The Democratic and Performance Service Manager confirmed the report would go to the next Executive meeting. The relevant Executive Member would be required to prepare a response to the report and its recommendations to bring back to the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the contents of the report be noted by the Committee.

(2)  That the Committee endorse the recommendations set out in the report for referral to the Executive Member.