Transport in itself is not a social care need. However, transport arrangements may be necessary to enable people to access support and services that do meet the eligible social care needs they have.
Transport may be required in order to access a service or support. If so, Cornwall Council needs to be satisfied that it is necessary to provide the service to meet that need.
Need for Transport
An eligible need will to be identified through a needs assessment. Then the Care and Support Plan will outline how a person will meet those needs and access services or support.
Transport will be considered within the Support Plan once:
- an eligible social care need has been established,
- the support to meet this need is identified, and
- it is identified that without providing transport that this support cannot be accessed
Eligibility for Transport
Transport Eligibility Criteria will be based on the following:
- you have an assessed eligible need that requires access to a service or support in order to be met
- whether you have transport available to get to that service or support. If you have other means to get to your service or support, then it will be expected that you will use this option
Travel arrangements will be clearly set out in your support plan. They will also be supported by your Contingency Plans in cases of unforeseen changes.
If your assets are above the upper capital limit, you will have to pay the full cost of your travel needs if you ask the Council to provide support.
Transport funded by Cornwall Council
Your support plan will include the use of money from your Personal Budget to pay and arrange transport to attend an agreed activity. This will be only where you have no alternative means of travel. All care and support plans, whether or not transport is included are approved by a designated manager.
Arranging Transport
Where Adult Social Care arranges your transport, your request will be referred and organised by the Council’s Integrated Transport Unit (ITU). The ITU will use the details provided from your Social Worker or Social Care Practitioner to arrange the most appropriate transport provider for you.
Paying for Transport
All transport provided and arranged by the Council is subject to a charge payable by you. The charge will be reviewed on an annual basis. If the Council agrees to help arrange transport arrangements, the Council will meet the difference in cost of the transport between your contribution and the full cost of the transport required in order for you to access your assessed need for support or service.
If you currently do not receive a personal budget the same criteria will apply for Cornwall Council to provide support for transport.
When the Council is being asked to assist with transport costs, it is likely that you would be expected to pay some of those costs if you have the means to do so.
Policy and Criteria
For full details including:
- arranging your transport
- paying for transport
- cancellations and appeals
please read our:
- Adult Social Care Transport Policy
- Easy Read of Adult Social Care Transport Policy
- Criteria for Transport