Policy & Guidance for Travel Whilst on Professional Practice

APPENDIX 6: Travel Policy AY 2014/15

TravelPolicy

Policy & Guidance for Travel whilst on Professional Practice

2014/2015

(This Policy should be read in conjunction with the Trainee Travel Contribution Claim Form)

This policy does not normally apply to School Direct trainees as travel costs are not normally reimbursed. Please speak to the appropriate EHU School Direct Lead for further details.

The policy covers trainee travel in the following circumstances:

Professional Practice in schools/colleges and settings
Educational visits organised by Edge Hill University, which are an integral part of the course

Based upon the trainee’s individual training plan, a Professional Practice will be allocated accordingly. This means that the Professional Practice is not decided on geographical location but on specific individual training needs. Trainees will be required to travel from their term time address to theirProfessional Practice. There is no set criterion for what is deemed as a reasonable journey (this could mean up to several hours travel). Travel will be via personal or public transport.

It is the responsibility of the trainees to ensure that they get to their Professional Practice on time each day and to make their own travel arrangements unless previously informed that transport will be provided by Edge Hill University.

Public Transport

If trainees do not have their own personal transport they are expected to use public transport to travel to and from their Professional Practice, journeys can be found using .

Personal Transport

Trainees using their own vehicles should confirm with their insurers that their motor policy covers the following:

Use by the trainee on the business of Edge Hill University, excluding commercial travel and soliciting orders;
The carrying of trade goods;
Indemnity in respect of third party claims while the vehicle is so used;
The receipt of a mileage/passenger allowance by the trainee for the use of her/his vehicle on Edge Hill University business (i.e., receipt of this does not invalidate the insurance).

Its insurers have informed Edge Hill University that these features are generally included or available on Class One insurance at no extra cost.

No responsibility can be accepted by Edge Hill University for damage to trainees’ vehicles or property incurred whilst on Professional Practice.

Taxis

The use of taxis is only sanctioned in exceptional circumstances and must be authorised in advance, in writing, by the Associate Dean (Partnership).

If authorised, the taxi will be arranged via the Initial Teacher Training Professional SupportTeam but occasionally trainees may be asked to arrange the taxi themselves and claim the fares back – this however must not be undertaken unless trainees are specifically requested to do so.

Transport Provided By Edge Hill University

On occasions, Edge Hill University may provide transport for trainees to school/college/setting. This will be indicated on the Professional Practice lists on Blackboard notice boards.

Trainees who have been allocated a place on transport provided by Edge Hill University must notify the ITT Professional Support Team in writing if they do not intend to use it. In such cases, trainees are not eligible to claim travelling expenses for the duration of that Professional Practice. The Faculty of Education cannot amend transport schedules once the final listing has been approved.

It is the responsibility of the individual trainee to:

Check the relevant Blackboard notice boards on a regular basis;
Notify the ITT Professional Support Team in writing immediately of changes in transport requirements (i.e. inset days etc);
Get to their departure point on time - departure times are prompt!

Inform the ITT Professional SupportTeam and transport provider IN ADVANCE if one way transport is requirede.g.if a trainee has not used the outgoing transport, they will not be picked up in the evening unless he/she has informed the ITT Professional Support Team and the transport provider in advance that the service is required. Trainees must also ensure that they notify both the driver and the ITT Professional SupportTeam if they do not require the return journey.

In the event of Edge Hill University transport not arriving at the stipulated time, trainees should:

Contact the ITT Professional SupportTeam as soon as possible;
Advise the school (before 8.45am) that they may be late.

Please see the Remote Professional Practice Policy for further details on transport whilst on remote Professional Practice.

Claims

Please see the relevant claim form for further details.

Trainee Travel Contribution Claim Forms are available from the Faculty of EducationInformation Desk. For all other transport claims, Fieldwork Claim Forms should be used. These are available from the Finance Office.

Student Finances

Whilst on Professional Practice you will need to think about any expenses that you

will incur until you are reimbursed and ensure you can manage these costs. You can seek advice on this from the Student Services Finance Team. You can get more information on the Go Portal Wiki Site.

Please contact the Student Services Finance Team to find out opening times.

Absence from Edge Hill University and School/College/Setting

(where transport provided)

On each day of any absence it is the trainee’s responsibility to:

Notify the school/college/setting(before 8.45am)
Notify the Faculty of EducationInformation Desk (01695 584790), and the Visiting Tutor if they are due to visit, before 10.00am on the first day of absence. The following information will be required:

a)Name

b)Year of Programme/Age Range/Subject

c)Name of the Supervising Tutor

d)Name of the school/college/setting

e)Reason for absence (e.g. illness, school closure)

f)Proposed return date to school/college/setting or Edge Hill University. The Faculty of Education is required to record all absences, as trainees must complete a given number of days/hours in school/college/setting to be recommended for the award of QTS.

g)Trainees must also notify the ITT Professional SupportTeam of their return date, if unknown at the time of notification or if different to (f) above.

It is essential that transport implications are indicated to relevant parties by the trainee. The procedures in this policy must be followed by all trainees. It is essential that trainees behave in a professional manner at all times.

If you have any issues or concerns whilst on Professional Practice please contact your Course Leader or Personal Tutor in the first instance.