My local authority says that what I am asking for is not part of their policy, what does that mean? Expand All local authorities (LAs) should have a policy on home to school transport, but it must be based on what the law says. LAs also needs to have regard to the statutory Travel to school for children of compulsory school age, May 2026 guidance (the May 2026 Guidance). The policy should set out: All four categories of eligibility and how these are assessed, including things like walking distance How to apply for transport How the LA might support children who live at more than one address All the ways transport might be provided, such as taxi or bus Arrangements that might be available for children who are not eligible for transport, such as spare seat schemes How a decision about transport can be appealed LAs should consult widely on any changes to such policies. If your LA refers to its policy when it is making decisions, you should start by getting a copy of it. LA policies should not include additional restrictions and limitations on access which are not contained in the Education Act 1996. The May 2026 Guidance also makes clear that LA school travel policies should be easy for you to find and understand (see part 4 of the May 2026 Guidance). If you consider that your child should be eligible under one of the categories for children of compulsory school age but they are being denied transport, seek advice from our advice line.
My child has learning difficulties and is going to need support and extra services around transport - what else is required to be done? Expand The statutory Travel to school for children of compulsory school age, May 2026 guidance (the May 2026 Guidance) makes clear that your local authority (LA) should: carry out an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, with a check of the children’s barred list, for drivers and passenger assistants involved in providing dedicated school transport (which means transport just for taking pupils to school and not open to the public) provide you with as much notice as possible of any changes to your child’s travel arrangements consider whether there are measures it can take to minimise any problems a long journey might cause for your child if long journeys cannot be avoided make sure that drivers and passenger assistants working on dedicated school transport have been given appropriate training and that this is kept up to date. The training that a driver or passenger assistant requires will depend on the needs of your child, and make sure its transport staff have had equality training and any training required to meet the specific needs of your child. Other legal requirements and good practice points covered by the May 2026 Guidance include: Considering all risk assessment requirements as required by health and safety legislation, and Working together with education, health and social care to ensure that children with medical needs get the right support for their travel arrangements
My child has an EHC plan. Does this mean that they are automatically entitled to transport? Expand Not automatically. If children with EHC plans fall in one of the categories of eligible children (set out in the section on children of compulsory school age) then they will be entitled to transport. If a child with an EHC plan lives within the statutory walking distance, can reasonably be expected to walk to school on their own and does not fit within one of the other categories, they will not be entitled to free home to school transport.
I would like to take my son to school myself. Will the LA help with my costs? Expand If your child is eligible for transport but you would like to take them and agree to do so, your local authority (LA) can agree to pay your travelling expenses. To make sure the arrangements do not end up costing you extra (it must be free of charge), the travelling expenses may need to cover your journey home having taken your child to school in the morning, and your journey back to school to collect your child in the afternoon (in other words, all four legs of your journey to school and back). There are some exceptions to this though, for example if you work close to the school and do not travel home after taking your child to school. More information on this is contained in paragraphs 68 to 72 of the Travel to school for children of compulsory school age, May 2026 guidance.
I have heard that transport needs to be non-stressful, what does that mean? Expand Case law has decided that the transport provided by an LA should be “non-stressful” if the child is to benefit from education. This means the child needs to be able to arrive at school ready to learn, rather than being very stressed or tired because of the journey. LAs must make sure that the travel arrangements they make take account of the needs of the child.
Whose duty is it to arrange home to school transport? Expand It is a duty on the local authority (LA) in which your child lives (or is ordinarily resident). LAs have a duty to make necessary travel arrangements for all eligible children attending qualifying schools, and a discretion to make travel arrangements for other children in their area (see the section on children of compulsory school age for more information).
My child has special educational needs (SEN) but we have been told we are not eligible because we live within a 3-mile radius of school. Is that correct? Expand Local authorities (LAs) are required to provide free school transport for any child who is eligible. This includes children with SEN, disabilities or mobility problems which mean that the child cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school when they live within statutory walking distance. Please see the section on children with SEN, disabilities or mobility problems for more information.