Home to school transport for children with special educational needs
The Council has a duty under section 508B of the Education Act 1996 to provide free home to school transport for eligible children of compulsory school age with special educational needs, a disability, or mobility problems, where they could not otherwise reasonably be expected to attend school.
Transport is arranged individually, based on the needs set out in a child's Education, Health and Care Plan or a transport assessment. This may include a taxi, minibus, escorted transport, a personal transport budget, or, where a child's medical needs require it, a specialist medically equipped vehicle.
Current award levels
| Highest current individual annual transport award | £115,737 |
|---|---|
| Daily rate where a specialist medically equipped vehicle is required | £949.62 |
Nationally, the cost of home to school transport for children with special educational needs has approximately doubled over the past five years, driven by rising numbers of children with Education, Health and Care Plans, increased journey distances to specialist provision, and the cost of specialist vehicles and escorted transport.
Eligibility and how awards are assessed
Each transport arrangement is assessed individually against the child's Education, Health and Care Plan, the distance and route to the named school or setting, and any medical or mobility evidence provided. Awards are reviewed annually or when a child's needs change.
If you disagree with a decision
You can ask the Council to review a transport decision. If you remain unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.