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 2024 Guidance. The policy should set out: eligibility for free travel and how entitlement will be assessed arrangements for children with SEN and/or disabilities including arrangements for pupils who are registered at more than one school provision of escorts charges assistance to attend extended schools travel to residential schools, and complaints. LAs should consult widely on any changes to such policies. If your LA quotes its policy, start by getting a copy of it. Such policies should not include additional restrictions and limitations on access which are not contained in the Education Act 1996. The 2024 Guidance also makes clear that LA school travel policies should be easy for you to find and understand (see part 4 of the 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 2024 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 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 negative impacts for your child if long journeys are unavoidable make sure that drivers and passenger assistants working on dedicated school transport have undertaken appropriate training and that this is kept up to date. The training that a driver or passenger assistant requires may be dependent on the needs of your child, and more specifically, make sure its transport staff have had equality training and any training required to meet the specific needs of your child. The government guidance, ‘Home to School Travel for Pupils Requiring Special Arrangements’, also advises on particular issues affecting pupils with severe learning difficulties and it recommends that LAs: ensure drivers and escorts are known to parents operator contact numbers are provided for parents ensure stability of staffing arrangements for pupils who dislike change encourage schools and transport services to use a home-school liaison diary, and ensure that journey times are reasonable to avoid undue stress. Other legal requirements and good practice points covered by this guidance include: enhanced DBS checks for all drivers and escorts minimum standards of training for drivers and escorts, including training in conflict resolution, safe handling and working with children with particular medical conditions or disabilities where appropriate assessment and management of risk specific measures for pupils with health needs, and specific training for staff and vehicle adaptations for pupils with mobility needs. This guidance recommends that travel needs of pupils with SEN be reviewed at least annually and that pupils should always travel by using mainstream arrangements and local travel schemes where they can. Reviews can decrease as well as increase transport support.
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 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 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 71 of the Travel to school for children of compulsory school age 2024 Guidance.
I have heard that transport needs to be non-stressful, what does that mean? Expand Case law has decided that it is implicit 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 unduly 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 concerned.
Whose duty is it to arrange home to school transport? Expand It is a duty on the LA in which your child 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 even if they live within statutory walking distance. Please see the section on children with SEN, disabilities or mobility problems for more information.