Home To School Transport DPS
Framework Description
Bracknell Forest Borough Council is setting up a Home to School Transport Dynamic Market for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (Find a Tender notice 042436-2026). Although the service is not subject to the light-touch regime, the Council will apply equivalent passenger safety and driver standards. The dynamic market is expected to run to 31 July 2029, with an option to extend to 31 July 2034.
Context & Use Case
The Council has a statutory duty to provide school transport for eligible SEND pupils in the borough and is redesigning how the service is delivered. It planned pre-market engagement with operators on the lot structure and operating model before setting up the dynamic market. Once it is live, admitted operators are expected to compete for routes as needs arise.
Scope of Services
Daily home to school transport for SEND pupils Passenger safety management and safeguarding Driver recruitment and vetting Vehicle provision and maintenance Route planning and coordination Communication with schools and families
Lots
See framework link
Who Can Apply
Suits taxi, private hire, minibus and accessible transport operators with experience of carrying children with SEND. The dynamic market has not opened yet. Once live, operators can apply to join at any time while it remains open, so there is no single deadline to miss.
Buyer Benefits
A dynamic market lets the Council add operators when demand changes and place new routes quickly, which matters when pupils' placements change mid-year. Buyers will value strong safeguarding, well-trained drivers and passenger assistants, consistent staff for each child, and dependable cover arrangements.
Next Steps
Watch Find a Tender for the Council's notice that the Home to School Transport Dynamic Market is open, and check notice 042436-2026 for updates on lots. Get ready now: DBS checks, licences, insurance, safeguarding policy and SEND training records. Apply as soon as it opens to be eligible for early route competitions. The initial term ends on 31 July 2029.
How Athena Can Help
When Bracknell Forest's dynamic market opens, early admission means access to the first route competitions. Athena's dynamic market application support helps operators choose the right lots and submit a complete, compliance-checked application.
For the routes themselves, our bid writing for route competitions explains your safeguarding approach clearly, and our public sector pricing advice helps you set rates that cover passenger assistants and still leave a margin. We can also prepare your safeguarding and SEND training evidence ahead of launch.
