Travel assistance for those aged 5 to 16 with SEND
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The deadline for applications for September 2023 has now passed but you still need to apply if you haven’t already done so.
We need to receive a new application for transport in September for any child who is:
• Moving into reception, year 7 or year 12 (even if they are not moving schools)
• Changing school (any school year)
We will only provide transport if we receive and approve the application. We cannot guarantee that transport will be in place for the start of the September term if your application was received past the deadline.
1. Who gets travel assistance?
We provide free transport to school, for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in East Sussex who:
- are under the age of 16 and
- meet the criteria on either walking distance or low income
This is regardless of their SEND. More information can be found at:
We will consider the needs and circumstances of children who do not meet these criteria and have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. We will provide travel assistance for these children where necessary. We will consider their ability to walk to school (with an adult if needed) and other health and safety concerns related to their SEND.
We will only provide assistance when the child is attending the nearest suitable school to their home. This is the nearest maintained school to the child’s home that can meet the child’s needs. The EHC plan may name the parents’ or carers’ choice of school, but if the child’s needs could be met at a nearer school, the County Council may not provide assistance.
Young people aged over 16 and in school year 12 and above do not automatically get free school transport. See the travel assistance for those aged 16 to 19 with SEND section for further information:
If a child does not have an EHCP, but is unable to walk to school or use public transport due to a medical condition, or their parent/carer is unable to accompany them due to their own medical condition, we may still be able to provide assistance with transport. Please visit the following page for further information:
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