School transport for a child with special educational needs
Your child may be entitled to free transport if they cannot walk to school because of their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem. Any transport that the council provides must be suitable to your child’s needs.
Who is ‘eligible’ for free school transport?
A child must be 5-16 years old, attending a qualifying school, and also:
Live more than 2 miles away from the school if 5-8 years old, or 3 miles away if 8-16, and the distance is determined by walking route, not as the crow flies. If the child has SEN, this may no longer apply. Caveats may apply if the child has special educational needs and/or a disability that prevents them from walking safely to school even if within the statutory walking distance; and other caveats apply if the child has an EHC Plan.
If they live close enough to walk but cannot, they must provide evidence of mobility issues or the relevant special educational needs that prevents them from walking safely to school, and the local authority will make a decision. If the decision is not in favour of providing transport then each local authority will have a transport appeal process.
The route to school is simply unsafe.
The child receives free school meals and the parents are in receipt of maximum Working Tax Credit and:
– The nearest school is more than 2 miles away (for 8-11-year-olds)
– The school is 2-6 miles away and there aren’t at least three other suitable schools closer to the home (by driving route)
– The preferred school is 2-15 miles away and is chosen on grounds of belief or religion
If the child is eligible then he/she must be attending a ‘qualifying school, which means it must be the nearest, suitable qualifying school and a:
Maintained (publicly funded) school or nursery
Non-maintained special school
Pupil referral unit
City technology college, or
An Academy
The key point is that the transport must be “non-stressful” to the child so that they arrive at school in a fit state ready to learn.
If a child does not meet the criteria listed above, all hope is not lost. Section 508c of the Education Act 1996 does afford local authorities the power to help children who might not be typically ‘eligible’. In some cases, the local authority may work with the parents and the school to find an alternative solution, with a sharing of costs.
This information was provided by Education Advocacy and is available on their website.