Post 16 SEN school transport

[Annoyingsquirrels]

Does anyone know what transport is likely to be provided at age 16 for a child with severe learning disabilities in a SEN school 14 miles away? There is no public transport as it is very rural and he would not be capable of using it anyway.

The Council's plan states parents need to contribute £900 a year towards mini bus (which I am OK with), but they are also changing their plan to state that this transport is only available based on mitigating circumstances and that parent's work or their need to transport younger siblings does not count as a mitigating circumstance.

There is no way I can juggle 2 hour round trips a day to the school with work and taking my other son to school in the opposite direction. I would be happy to pay towards a mini bus but it sounds like we would not be eligible. Anyone have any experience of this?

Transport rules for post 16 are different to those for compulsory school aged pupils. There isn’t a statutory duty for the LA to provide transport. However, the LA is still responsible for the provision in F of the EHCP and if/when transport is refused, it can be possible to challenge it via that route. So it is worth challenging the policy. It is worth contacting SENTAS because some LAs have unlawful post 16 transport policies.

Thank you, will look into challenging this. Do you know if LAs are open to negotiation e.g if a policy says we are not eligible could we offer to pay them more than the £900 contribution they detail to get a place on an existing mini bus route? I honestly don't see any other way for my son to get to school.