Planning Transport for Children with Disability

A child’s transport arrangement should reflect their individual needs and the responsibilities of the adults involved. Townsend Buses provides school and accessible transport in Queensland. This guide focuses on preparing and reviewing a journey.

Start With the Child’s Needs

Explain relevant boarding, seating, communication and handover requirements before booking. Ask the operator whether the proposed vehicle and staffing can accommodate them.

If a requirement changes, discuss it before the next journey and request confirmation of any revised arrangement.

Include the Child’s Perspective

Where appropriate, involve the child in the planning conversation using a communication method that suits them.

Share relevant preferences with the operator, while confirming what can be provided for that particular journey.

Clarify the Support Needed During Travel

Identify what assistance is needed and who will be responsible for providing it.

Agree on Individual Arrangements

Discuss assistance at collection, during the journey and at arrival. Ask whether a family member, carer or support worker needs to accompany the child and whether that can be accommodated.

Where the child has an individual plan relevant to travel, agree how necessary information should be shared with the people responsible. Transport arrangements do not replace the child’s own care or professional advice.

Keep Families and Schools Informed

Confirm the contact method for an absence, change or delay. Ask who can authorise a different collection or handover arrangement.

Keep the current journey details available to the family, school and any support person involved.

Check the Journey From Start to Finish

Consider the vehicle, collection point, destination and handover together when discussing suitability.

Confirm Vehicle and Handover Details

Ask about the allocated vehicle, relevant equipment and available assistance. Provide the details needed to assess a mobility aid or other access requirement.

Agree who will meet the child at each end of the journey and what should happen if the expected person is unavailable.

Review and Raise Concerns

Review the arrangement when the child’s requirements, school or timetable changes. Ask the operator how feedback can be raised and how any agreed change will be confirmed.

For a Townsend Buses enquiry, call (07) 3094 1301. Availability, equipment, staffing and suitability must be confirmed for the journey.