Getting to school safely: implications of school transport for children with special educational needs

The Irish educational system supports the holistic development of the child with special educational needs (SEN). Central to this is the provision of support services including school transportation. There is a need to ensure that transport services for children with SEN are improved. Areas of concern include the efficient operation of the school transport scheme to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children. The focus of this article is on presenting research undertaken with the key stakeholders in the transportation of children with SEN so as to inform a programme of training for bus escorts.