'Beginner's guide' to SEN transport needed please

[pannetone]

I was told over the phone today that DD's finalised statement is 'about' to be sent out. It names the specialist out of borough school we want for DD - and where she started in Sep with us paying the fees and doing transport - it's about 12 miles away, so 50 miles in total each day.

We were worried that the LA were going to stay that School A was our 'parental preference' and that the nearer School B ( nearly 3 miles away) would also meet need. We argued School B wasn't suitable. Now we are told that the LA is naming School A in Part 4 are we 'home and dry' as far as transport is concerned? Will the LA have to provide transport as the school is over 3 miles away?

I am confused by the form to apply for transport. Under the heading 'parental responsibility' it asks if I am able to transport my child to school. And if not, why not?!Then I am meant to explain how DD's SEN prevent her from travelling to school independently and how her SEN prevent me from transporting her.

So am I only 'entitled' to transport for DD if I can't 'organise school attendance including necessary travel arrangements'? I thought it was the LA's responsibility as the nearest suitable school is over 3 miles away. The form also asks if DD (or me?) get DLA and at what rates. How is that relevant? DD does get MRC and LRM - will they say I have to meet transport costs using the LRM?

No other children from my LA attend the school. I am happy to drive DD (she is my only at primary) to and from school - it would be a major battle to get her to go in a taxi. If transport is agreed, can I ask for mileage costs rather than a taxi option?

MNSN wisdom gratefully received thanks.

If they don't name school B as also suitable then yes you should get transport

I would think as its over 3 miles you don't have to explain why she cant get to the school - I'd be tempted to just write 'N/A as school over 3 miles'

I think DLA is sometimes used to see if a child eligible for free transport e.g. if school was less than 3 miles it would be used as reason to give free transport anyway - again not sure if its relevant here - I might write 'N/A see above'

I don't think they should take DLA off the cost as DLA is for extra expenses other families don't have - school transport is something every child is entitled to (if meet criteria). I thought under rules if entitled it had to be free (rules may be different post 16)

I'd probably ring them up and ask whether as school over 3 miles its automatic Council will pay and therefore these questions not relevant - you can then ask about mileage which you should get.

Thanks Agnes - that is helpful. Hoping the LA get on and send the final statement out - over the phone the caseworker wouuldn't tell me which of our amendments to the proposed statement have been 'allowed' (mostly amount of speech therapy) - only that they were agreeing to name the school we want.

So if we were only allowed 'our' school A as parental preference and the LA think School B is also suitable does it set all that out in Part 4? Caseworker made out that the LA are only naming school A but I am having a niggling worry that there will be some sort of caveat that it is our parental preference.

I would check. If there is a suitable school nearer (according to the LA) then you may be responsible for transport costs to the school of your choice.