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Information on School Transport

 

   

   It is important to think about how your child will travel to and         from school.

If your child is eligible, there are several types of school travel assistance available from Havering.

 

Why might a child of compulsory school age be eligible for school travel assistance?

Compulsory school age begins with the start of the term following a child’s fifth birthday and ends on the last Friday in June in the academic year in which they turn 16.

Any child of compulsory school age, who lives further than the statutory walking distance from the nearest school with places that can provide education appropriate to their age, ability and aptitude, may be provided with school travel assistance.

The walking distance is measured by the shortest available route and the legislation states that this walking distance is:

  • Two miles for children under eight
  • Three miles for a child over eight

 

What other reasons make a child eligible for school travel assistance?

Free transport should be provided if/ for:

  • Your child has a severe or profound difficulty 
  • Children with SEND, although the question may be asked how severe the SEND is. 
  • Children whose route to school is unsafe 
  • Children from low income families. 

 

Children with an EHC plan:

Your child is not automatically entitled to free school transport if they have SEND or if they have an education health and care (EHC) plan. The normal criteria still apply.

If your child’s EHC plan says that their needs can be met at a mainstream school, the normal eligibility criteria apply, unless they can’t walk the specified distance for their age because of a disability or health condition.

If your child goes to a school that has been named as parental preference, which is not the nearest suitable school for their home address, then the local authority is not obliged to provide transport.  However, any nearer schools which are unable to meet your child’s needs or do not have a place available for your child, do not count as a nearer suitable school.

In some cases, where transport is provided for children with special needs, the type of transport will be in line with the recommendations made by the professionals involved in placing the child.

The SEN Servce at the LA do not arrange school transport for you.  You will need to apply for this yourself.

 

How do I check eligibility and apply for school travel assistance?

Havering do not provide travel assistance to students who do not attend the nearest suitable qualifying school.

Eligibility is assessed by:

  • impact of special educational needs and disabilities
  • impact of mobility needs (student or parent)
  • distance between the school/college and home
  • safety of the route
  • low income

The assessment of eligibility will also take into account:

  • the age of the student
  • the student's need for specialist transport
  • the student's need for supervision
  • the student's alternative travel options available
  • whether the student can be accompanied and whether the parent/guardian can reasonably be expected to do this
  • whether the student can independently use any form of travel card, or has access to a bursary fund on the grounds of transport

 

You can check your child's eligibility via Havering's Eligibility Policy and apply online for school travel assistance via Havering's School Travel Assistance webpage via this link:    https://www.havering.gov.uk/SchoolTravelAssistance

 

Should you have any questions relating to the travel assistance application and eligibility, or to update your personal information, please email [email protected]

 

Can I appeal a decision?

Following an application, if school travel assistance is refused you are able to appeal by following Havering's transport appeal process.  You must appeal within 20 days of receiving a decision. 

 

 

Additional information, advice & support

 

Havering Council's School Travel Assistance Page

 

IPSEA Transport Page

 

Contact Transport Page

 

SENTAS : The Special Educational Needs Transport Advocacy Service provides families with information on home to school transport including the legislation and statutory government guidance that surround this issue.