Home to School Transport Policy (0 to 25 Year Olds)
2. Under Compulsory school age (0 to 4 years) Eligibility for Travel Assistance
Under the law, the council does not have a duty to provide travel assistance to children who are under compulsory school age. Travel to an early years setting is the responsibility of a child’s parent/carer. Compulsory school age begins on the first day of the term following the child’s 5th birthday.
In exceptional circumstances the Council will consider providing travel assistance for any child who will turn 5 within the term that the application is made, subject to them meeting the transport eligibility criteria and the Council completing a travel needs assessment. Each case is considered individually therefore parents/carers should not assume automatic eligibility.
The eligibility criteria are outlined in section 3. These are considered in accordance with the following additional guidance.
Children without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) attending early years provision aged 0 to 4
Parents/carers are responsible for making and paying for their own travel arrangements for transporting their child to and from early years provision.
Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) attending mainstream early years provision aged 0 to 4
If a child has an EHCP and is attending a mainstream early years setting then a case can be brought to the Transport Exceptions Panel to be considered for travel assistance, as long as the placement is the nearest suitable setting. If travel assistance is agreed, the Council will offer the most cost-effective form of travel assistance. This is likely to be in the form of a Personal Transport Budget, which must be used to make suitable transport arrangements for the child’s journey to their setting.
Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) attending specialist early years provision aged 0 to 4
If a child’s needs are such that an EHCP prescribes attendance at a specialist early years setting then these cases can be brought to the Transport Exceptions Panel to be considered for travel assistance, as long as the placement is the nearest suitable setting. If travel assistance is agreed, the Council will offer the most cost-effective form of travel assistance. This is likely to be in the form of a Personal Transport Budget which must be used to make suitable transport arrangements for the child’s journey to their setting.
Children without an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) attending a reception class in a school in the term before they turn 5
If it is determined by the Admissions and Transport Team that once the child is 5 they will meet the eligibility criteria for Council funded home to school transport, then they may be transported during the term that they are due to turn 5, providing there is existing transport running from the child’s home area to the educational setting. This is subject to the Council completing a travel needs assessment.
A Personal Transport Budget would not usually be offered unless this was agreed by the Council as the most cost-effective form of travel assistance.
Children with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) attending a reception class in a school in the year before they turn 5
If it is determined by the SEND Service that a child with an EHCP attending a reception class would be eligible to receive Council funded home to school travel assistance once they turn 5, then we would consider providing travel assistance if the child needs it between the age of 4 and 5. These cases must be brought to the Transport Exceptions Panel for consideration.
If travel assistance is agreed, the Council will offer the most cost-effective form of travel assistance. This is likely to be in the form of a Personal Transport Budget, which must be used to make suitable transport arrangements for the child’s journey to school.