Types of transport assistance

Where transport is approved, the most economical and sustainable service will be offered that is appropriate to meet a student's needs. In some cases, this might include the services of a passenger assistant.

In certain circumstances, and subject to parental consent, the most suitable arrangement might be for the parent to provide the transport. In these cases, the County Council may offer parents a personal transport budget (PTB) to cover the parent's expenses in providing suitable travel arrangements for transport or passenger assistant support.

The PTB would replace the student's existing travel arrangement.

Find out more about personal transport budgets

If appropriate and available, students are offered a public transport season ticket.

This is usually for a bus service, although it may be for other forms of public transport such as a train service.

If public transport is not available, the County Council may allocate the student to an existing contracted route, which would usually be a coach or minibus.

In rare cases a taxi may be contracted to operate the service when:

• there is no suitable public transport available, and
• there is no existing contract serving the route, and
• the parent is unable or unwilling to accept a personal transport budget, or
• the student's needs require it

Independent Travel Training is a structured programme designed to help children and young people – particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) – develop the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to travel safely and independently.

It supports young people in preparing for adulthood by teaching essential life skills such as route planning, personal safety, using public transport, reading timetables and understanding road awareness.

Travel training is intended for students who are capable of becoming more independent in their journeys to education and who meet the eligibility criteria under the Post-16 or School Transport policies. This includes those already receiving transport assistance who may be ready to transition to more independent modes of travel, as well as those referred by schools, parents or professionals.

Readiness to complete Independent Travel Training would be outlined in the Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or agreed by the County Council following a discussion with the school and parents.

Once an eligible student has successfully completed Independent Travel Training, their travel arrangements would be reviewed.