Parents/Carers have a responsibility to ensure their child/young person attends school, including providing any travel arrangements. Mainstream pupils can apply for a National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Young People which allows free travel on local and national bus routes. Anyone aged between 5-21 years can apply.
There are additional resources available to help families make sure their child/young person is able to travel to and from home to school safely - particularly if they have Additional Support Needs (ASN):
- Escorted walking with an appropriate responsible adult or peer
- Escorted or Non-Escorted travel by public bus or dedicated school bus services
- Parental Contracts - parents/carers using their own vehicle to transport their child/young person to school*
- Escorted Minibus
- Escorted or Non-Escorted Taxi Contractor
* families in receipt of a Motability Vehicle are expected to use this for transporting their child[ren] to and from home to schools themselves
Pupils with additional needs who meet the eligibility criteria must apply for travel assistance. Eligibility is complex, however the following criteria are generally taken into account:
- the distance from home to school - particularly if a child/young person is placed within a specific non-catchment area school
- if the child/young person has a physical/sensory impairment, or multiple learning difficulties which prevents parent/carer assisted travel
- if the child/young person is assessed as requiring specialist travel arrangements or supervision
- evidence from TATC or Complex and Additional Support Needs Management Group
- if a child/young is prevented from travelling in the same way their peers would to access their education
- whether parents/carers can assist by using their own or designated Motability vehicle (Parental Contracts)
This list is by no means exhaustive and our ASN Home to School Travel Policy has more information relating to eligibility criteria for travel assistance. Please contact the ASN Travel Team for guidance and support if you wish to Apply for ASN Home to School Travel Assistance:
Gill Ward
ASN Travel Team Leader
Tel: 07947 351823
Angela Fairweather
ASN Travel Coordinator
Tel: 01382 433848 or 07585998909