2025 DRAFT North Tyneside Council Transport Policy

1. Introduction

North Tyneside Council is dedicated to providing fair and consistent travel support for adults receiving social care, ensuring they can actively participate in their communities. This policy outlines the guidelines and processes for assessing and delivering that travel assistance.

 

2. Policy Aims

We aim to provide a consistent and fair approach to assessing and meeting travel needs, empowering individuals to participate in community life through suitable travel support. We will deliver travel services efficiently and cost-effectively, only when necessary, while upholding equality principles in line with the Equality Act 2010 and the Council's Public Sector Equality duties.

 

3. Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for council-funded travel, individuals must be adults receiving care and support from North Tyneside Council under the Care Act 2014, have assessed eligible needs requiring travel to access essential social care services, and have explored all reasonable alternative travel options, including public transport, personal arrangements, personal independence payment mobility component, and Motability scheme vehicles. Assessed eligible needs met by attendance at a day centre does not guarantee automatic eligibility to transport provision.

 

4. Assessment Process

We will conduct a thorough needs assessment to determine eligibility, covering individual needs, risk assessment for independent travel, evaluation of alternative travel options, and the cost-effectiveness of solutions. Risk assessments will involve consultation with carers, advocates, and representatives. We prioritise enabling independent travel where possible, including travel training, and provide information on alternative travel options if a low need is assessed.

 

5. Alternative Transport Options

During the assessment, we will consider alternative travel options such as travel training for independent public transport use, Motability scheme vehicles, direct payments for individuals to arrange their own travel, and bus passes.

 

6. Financial Assessment and Charges

A financial assessment will determine an individual's ability to contribute to travel costs. Charges may be applied based on financial circumstances, but essential travel needs will be met regardless of ability to pay. This will be in line with the Contributions Policy for Adult Care and Support.

 

7. Provision of Commissioned Transport

If council-commissioned travel is required, detailed records will be kept, including special needs, escort requirements, mobility limitations, journey details, and contact information. Eligibility for commissioned travel is time-limited and subject to reassessment, with information recorded in care plans and reviewed regularly.

 

8. Legal Framework

North Tyneside Council's duty to provide travel is based on the National Assistance Act 1948, the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, the National Health Service Community Care Act, the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004, and the Care Act 2014. Section 508 F Education Act 1996 also applies, for adult learners with learning disabilities up to age 25 attending further/higher education with boarding accommodation.

 

9. Circumstances for Transport Provision

Council-funded travel may be provided when no suitable public transport is available, no other viable travel options exist, health conditions prevent the use of public transport, family/carer provision would be an unfair burden, or travel is part of a CHC package or s.117 aftercare package under the Mental Health Act 1983.

 

10. Circumstances Where Transport Will Not Be Provided

Travel will not be provided if suitable public transport is available, other suitable travel options exist, or the individual is able to use public transport or walk.

 

11. Key Considerations During Assessment

When we're working out the best travel support for you, we'll take a few things into account. We'll look at how far away the service is, how close it is to where you live, and how easy it is to get there by bus or train. We’ll also check if there's parking available. We'll see if you might be able to get any other help with travel costs, and we'll think about any risks to yourself or others. If needed, we'll arrange for an assessment by an occupational therapist. Finally, we'll consider how any training or support you're getting to become more independent might affect your travel.

 

12. Expectations

We encourage people to use other travel options if they can, as this helps us provide support to those who need it most. Where several people are going to the same place, we'll investigate shared transport, which can be more efficient. Naturally, we ask that those who qualify for discounted travel take advantage of that. Please also be aware that there might be a charge for the travel we arrange, depending on individual circumstances.

 

13. Service Implementation and Reviews

We'll check in with you six weeks after your travel support starts to make sure everything's working well. After that, we'll have a yearly review unless something comes up in the meantime. Of course, if your needs change, we'll look at different travel options to see what works best. If you turn down a suitable travel option, we might have to consider that you're saying no to the service altogether. And, if we need to, we'll carry out checks to make sure you're able to make decisions about your travel. Finally, just so you know, all travel requests need to be approved and will be set out in your support plan, which will be subject to periodic review.

 

14. Appeals and Complaints

 

15. Exclusion

  • This policy does not cover education transport.