What types of travel assistance do we offer?

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You could get:

  • Money to help pay for travel (called a Personal Travel Budget or PTB)
  • Training to help your child learn to travel by themselves
  • A bus pass to use public transport
  • A shared minibus or taxi
  • Special vehicles for wheelchair users, with helpers if needed

Sometimes, parents or carers need to help get their child to a pick-up point. For children in nursery or for those over 16, travel help may only be available for some days each week.

See if you qualify and apply for travel assistance

How to arrange travel

  • We will tell you when and where we will collect your child.
  • We usually pick up your child from home and take them to school.
  • Sometimes, we might need to pick up or drop off your child at a different place.
  • You must help your child get into and out of the vehicle.
  • If no one is there to collect your child after school, we will take them to a safe place for you to pick them up.
  • If your child is not going to school, you must let the transport company know. We will make sure you have their contact details.

Can you get travel assistance to any school? 

Your child must go to the nearest suitable school that can meet their needs. This school should be named in their EHC plan. If you choose a school farther away, we might not be able to help with travel costs.

Can you get travel assistance to residential schools? 

If your child goes to a residential school and it is in their EHC plan, you can apply for travel help. Travel will match their schedule, usually once a week or every half term. We cannot give transport on other days.

Can you get SEND transport without an EHC plan? 

If your child does not have an EHC plan, you cannot get our SEND transport help. You might be able to get our mainstream offer.

Can you get travel assistance for respite? 

If it is during term time, you can apply for travel help to respite care. This will be reviewed on a case by case basis and is not always provided.

Can you get travel assistance outside of school hours? 

Usually, transport is only at the start and end of the school day. If your child shares a vehicle, pick-up and drop-off times might be a bit earlier or later. We cannot offer transport in emergencies or for trips that are not between home and school or college.

What if your child is late? 

Your child must be ready on time. The vehicle can only wait for five minutes.

What if you need to change the travel arrangements? 

You must apply again if your child:

  • moves house 
  • changes school or college