Transport for Children of School Age

The Local Authorities policy on home to school and college transport sets out who is eligible for free home to school transport including the arrangements for children with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities.  The policy complies with the law  including the Education Act 1996 and government guidelines.

For more information on home to school transport and to check if your child might be eligible please visit:

Free Transport Information page including the Eligibility Checker - East Riding of Yorkshire Website (external website)

Children with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans may qualify for free home to school transport if:

• They are attending their nearest suitable school and it is beyond 2 miles if below the age of 8 or beyond 3 miles if aged between 8 and 16.

Or

• The Child cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of their mobility problems or because of associated health and safety issues related to their Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.
  

Children/young people with a statement of SEN or Education, Health and Care Plan do not have an automatic entitlement to free home to school transport, even if they attend a special school.

If you would like your child to attend a school that is not their nearest suitable school which can meet their need, the LA could agree to name this school in your child’s statement/EHC Plan however this normally will be on the condition that you are responsible for transport costs.

For pupils who are eligible to free home to school transport the LA makes necessary travel arrangements. The transport can be provided in a number of different ways, including:

• A dedicated school bus
• A travel pass for use on public transport
• Taxi
• A Personal Travel Budget - More information can be found on the Personal Travel Budget Page
  

The LA aims to make travel arrangements for children with special educational needs as stress free as possible. The LA will endevour to:

• Make drivers and passenger assistants known to parents
• Avoid unnecessary changes of contracts/staff/transport
• Agree care plans for pupils with health needs, carry these on vehicles and ensure staff have suitable training
• Ensure journey times are as reasonable as possible
  

If you would like any further explanation or any other help/advice, please contact us:

Email: transport.requests@eastriding.gov.uk

It may be possible to purchase a pass for use on the bus or taxi if it is contracted by the authority for home to school transport and they have spare seats.

You can visit the East Riding website to apply for a school travel pass (external website)

The Director of Children Families and Schools may agree to the Council meeting the full costs of transport or paying part of the costs if he feels that there are special circumstances which justify making an exception.

You have to make your request in writing setting out your reasons.  You should include all relevent information about your children and your family circumstances and enclose any supporting documentation.

A form and guidance notes are avaliable from the admissions team on:

Email: school.admissions@eastriding.gov.uk

If the Director refuses home to school or college transport assistance you can lodge an appeal. All appeals are considered by the Council’s Appeals Committee.