Types of transport help available
If your child is eligible for home to school transport, we can offer assistance. We base this on an assessment of your child’s needs. Assistance could include:
- a bus pass
- a group of children travelling together by bus, often with a Vehicle Passenger Assistant
- a taxi or minibus transport from a set meeting point
- a taxi or minibus transport from the home address registered with the school, to and from school
We also offer Independent Travel Training (ITT). ITT supports young people in preparing for adulthood as part of independent living and skills for life. The training is voluntary and provides tailored and practical help for children and young people with SEND. It helps them to travel independently and without fear to school by public transport or on foot.
Mileage payments
If your child or young person is eligible for free home to school transport, you can still choose to take them to school in your family car. We understand that the travel times may better suit the needs of your family.
In this case, the council will provide a mileage payment to contribute towards the cost of travel. This is a payment of 52 pence per mile for 4 journeys a day over the academic year. We will pay it once each term (3 times a year).
Personal Travel Budgets
You may also wish to discuss the option of a Personal Travel Budget (PTB) with us. If your child or young person is eligible for travel assistance, we can provide a PTB as a voluntary alternative to hired transport.
You can spend a PTB in many different ways, as long as your child:
- gets to and from school on time
- travels in a way that ensures their safety
- travels in a way that encourages their attendance
- does not have their learning negatively affected