Secondary School Transport Application

[talawalawoo]

Hey, does anybody have any experience with completing an application for transport to school and back. I just want to ensure I robustly complete it to avoid any issues. Child is year 7 in secondary, has ADHD and currently being assessed for ASD (mainly moving schools due to behavioural issues and making very little learning progress) Recently been accepted in a specialist provision, moving from mainstream, has an ehcp. School is a few miles away and too far for them to travel by themself everyday. They have done very short journeys by themself to their previous school after lots of support (the journey was literally 5 mins on the bus) but this would be way too far and whilst I can do it with them in the short term due to work etc couldn't do it every day in future.

Many thanks

SENTAS are the transport experts. They really helped me when I was applying for my DS.

Hopefully this won't be the case for you but some councils are known to try it on with regards to transport so you're right to be cautious.
Distance rules don't apply when a DC has SEN.

https://sentas.co.uk/

Ipsea also has some good info:

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/pages/category/transport-to-school-or-college

To add to @Toomanyminifigs informative post, don’t let the LA’s pressurise you in to accepting mileage if that isn’t what you want. You do not have to agree.

Thankyou both 😊

Just add that Santas website is excellent, thankyou!

Santas

Sorry, I know it was a typo, but this did make me smile. Receiving support with SEN matters can certainly sometimes feel like Santa has delivered a present.

Lol, I didn't see that before but yes I agree with your point, 😂😂.

I did see a part of the form I need to complete on why I can't take him to school, just wondered if anybody had any views on how they had completed that before (they don't take the fact you work, I'm a single mum with other children etc into consideration). He does have profound needs which I can justify, was just unsure of how to complete that section.

TIA

You don’t have to justify why you can’t take DS. DS is attending the nearest suitable school which he can’t reasonably be expected to walk to because of his disability, therefore he is an eligible child. Mileage can only be provided instead if the parent consents.

That makes sense, thanks 👍