SEND travel and transport

Your child may be entitled to free transport if they cannot walk to school because of their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem.

When your child is eligible

Your child is eligible if they are of compulsory school age; go to their nearest suitable school and 1 of the following applies:

  • they are under 8 and the school is more than 2 miles away
  • they are 8 or over and the school is more than 3 miles away
  • they wouldn’t be able to walk there safely, even if accompanied by a parent or guardian - this applies if your child lives within the 2 or 3 mile limit but there is no safe walking route
    • for example, if the only route were along an unlit busy road with no pavement
  • if your child cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of a special educational need (SEN), disability, or mobility problem, they will be entitled to free school transport, regardless of the distance they live from the school.
    • an assessment must be made of the child’s individual needs
  • if your child is entitled to free school meals, or you receive the maximum level of Working Tax Credit

If your child is not eligible

You can appeal against the decision.

Transport assistance for post-16 SEND students

Most SEND students do not receive or require travel support to enable them to participate in education and training. Transport will only be provided for young people who have SEND. 

Students 18-25 years with SEND

We will consider travel arrangements for students after the age of 18 years up to 25 years with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who started their programme of learning before their 19th Birthday.

In all other cases, we have the discretion to determine what transport or financial support is necessary to facilitate the student’s participation in education and training. 

You can find further information about Post-16 transport on the Council's website.

If you're not eligible for free transport

You can contact your school or college to see if they would be able to assist you with your transport arrangements.

If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal.

Contact

If you would like to contact someone about school transport, have any cause for concern about the driver, passenger assistant, vehicle, seats and harnesses, please contact the Transport Team at:

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