Transport to school named on ehcp

[Buttons294749]

Hi all

My DC Attends a MS school as named on his ehcp, he is in reception and all going well so far.

Currently I'm driving him, it's not far but I was wondering about school transport as I will need to quit my job soon as I'm not allowed to WFH long term and I can't get everyone everywhere they need to be and get into the office!

He's currently in an axkid minikid as he is small, also he has started trying to escape his seat so wouldn't do well with a HBB. What's the situation with tiny ones in your experience and car seats? Who get the child from the taci/bus to school?

I only work PT so would be fine if transport was PT too but I don't want to stress DC out unnecessarily as we are financially OK if I quit.

Thanks!

One of mine gets a taxi to his specialist school and we send him with his own car seat which driver leaves at school with him. Other child is eligible for transport to his specialist school but there are no taxi's available so we have to drive him. We do get an allowance from the LA for this

You will be able to use a HBB or car seat. Sometimes it can stay in the taxi and other times they are left at school. The taxi (and escort if appropriate) will be met by school staff.

@Patchyman1 if you want transport rather than mileage push back on the LA. You don’t have to accept mileage instead. If the LA refuse SENTAS can help you challenge it.

There's a lack of taxi drivers here. Route was put out to tender with no takers so we get PTA not mileage. And we are on a wait list.
Always on a wait list for something!

Just thought I would mention it as lots of LAs try to get parents to accept mileage via a personal transport budget just because it is easier &/or cheaper for the LA.

Thanks all, food for thought!

OP Sorry to jump on this thread but do you mind me asking, in order to apply for school transport does it have to be in the ehcp or, do the Council just need to see they have a plan? We live in the middle of nowhere, the bus to our local secondary school was pulled years ago so we have been paying a bus company to do the route. However that bus is stopping after half term as it got too expensive (ot went fro. £63 a month last year to £153 this year, and for each child who drops out, our payments increase by £12 per month. So many havr dropped out now the bus company have pulled the route) so a lot of children are being taken in by parents. We live 4 miles away, there's no public transport, & no safe walking routes, but because there's a closer school by 0.2 miles the council are saying they don't need to provide transport. The best part is that the same council set the catchment area, and the closer school isnt our catchment!!!! There is a bus that goes through the village with space on it, but the council said that as she doesn't have an ehcp they can't take her.

The school are in the process of applying for one but I just wondered if I have to get that put in the plan or not?

Sorry, I know that was a long post! Thank you

in order to apply for school transport does it have to be in the ehcp or, do the Council just need to see they have a plan?

Pupils don’t have to have an EHCP in order to qualify for transport as it is governed by other guidance and legislation, but if a pupil has an EHCP and is attending a school the school should be named in it.

Pupils without EHCPs are eligible for transport to the nearest suitable school if they can’t reasonably be expected to walk due to their SEN or disability &/or the route is unsafe &/or it’s further than the statutory walking distance. Pupils in secondary schools from a low income household can also qualify if the school is 2-6 miles away and there aren’t 3 or more closer suitable schools or if it’s 2-15 miles and is the nearest based on religion or belief.