Free school transport

Children who cannot walk to their nearest suitable school because of SEND or their mobility needs may qualify for free school transport.

We will assess your claim for free school transport based on:

• distance from school
• if the walk is unsafe even if accompanied
• the child's needs, including mobility, medical needs, behaviour and vulnerability

We will consult you, the child's teachers and health and care professionals.

Transport will be provided by the council if your child's education, health and care plan (EHCP) requires it, but having an EHCP does not automatically mean your child is eligible.

To find out if your SEND child qualifies for free school transport contact your named Education, Health and Care Coordinator.

If the SEND team decide that your child is eligible for free school transport, we will contact you. You will be able to apply for one of these 2 options:

• council-arranged transport
• a personal transport budget

If we arrange your child's transport, we will work with you to decide on the best transport option based on:

• age
• needs
• length and type of journey
• whether other transport options are available, suitable and cost-effective
• how far your child has progressed with their independence training

You could apply for a personal transport budget. This is money you can use to arrange transport for your child yourself. You can find out more about personal transport budgets.

There might be circumstances where a Personal Transport Budget is not appropriate. This could include where the Council can arrange transport for you at a lower cost. This will be assessed as part of the application process. The Council will make the final decision based on all the available information.

Read our home to school transport policy and our SEND local offer website.