SEND Travel Support

We provide support with travel to and from school for eligible children and young people with a special educational need or disability.

The type of support is based on your child’s individual needs with a view to supporting their independence and getting them to school happy and ready to learn. Support can include a travel pass, independent travel training, personal travel budget or a place on commissioned transport.

Types of Travel Support

Travel Support can take many forms and we will work with your family to try and find a personalised solution that works for your child, allowing them to develop skills, build independence and get them to school safely and ready to learn.

Personalised Travel Budget: This gives families the greatest choice in finding a travel solution that suits them. Families are allocated money to spend as they wish on a travel solution of their choice. This could take the form of you or a family member providing transport and using the money for your time, for fuel, car upkeep, insurance etc or it could be used to commission your own transport or pool with other parents of SEND children.
Independent Travel Training: This gives young people the opportunity to take a travel training course with a trainer until they develop the skills and confidence to make the journey by themselves. This gives young people the independence to make journeys in their personal life too.
Travel Pass: This gives child/young person a pass to use public transport to make their journey to and from school.
Commissioned Transport: This support could range from mini buses, to taxis, to a specialised vehicle to best suit your child's needs.

You will be able to make a choice alongside us about which method works best for your child to meet their individual needs.

1. Is my child eligible for Home to School Travel Support?

School age pupils are eligible for free home to school travel support if they:

Are attending their nearest qualifying school and meet the eligible distance criteria relevant to their age group; or
Are from a low-income family and are attending a qualifying school and meet the eligible distance criteria; or
Attend their nearest qualifying school and unable to walk or access public transport because of their Special Educational Need Disability (SEND) or mobility.

Sefton Council does not provide financial support for post-16 student travel. Your further education or sixth form provider may offer travel subsidies. These are funded by the Education Funding Agency and can be used to support students in different ways, including paying for travel costs.

If you are interested in a travel subsidy, please contact your child's further education establishment or school directly.

We may provide travel support to post 16 students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disability who are unable to travel independently to the nearest most suitable setting. These are assessed on an individual basis using the Sefton Post 16 Transport Policy Statement and Statutory Guidance

2. What is Home to School Travel Support?

Home to School Travel Support enables your child to get from home to school. The type of support is based on your child’s individual needs and with regard to the best use of the Council’s resources. This can include a travel pass, independent travel training, a personal travel budget or a place on commissioned transport.

Most children eligible for Travel Support will be issued with a travel pass, some children with Special Educational Needs Disability may require a more personalised travel solution.

A personal transport budget (PTB) is money to help you get your child to school. The money allows you to make flexible arrangements, monitor the quality of your child’s transport directly or work with other families to achieve the best possible travel arrangements your child and their friends. More information on Personal Travel Budgets please download our leaflet or contact the Travel Team.

3. How do I apply?

If your child has Special Educational Needs and/or Disability use this form for an assessment of eligibility.

For all other students use this form to apply for a public transport Travel Pass

4. Can I appeal if I am refused travel support?

If you are refused a travel pass or travel support under the current policy, you will be offered the right of appeal against the decision. This will be included with any refusal letter you receive.

5. Who to contact?

Home to School Travel Support

Telephone: 0151 934 3399

E-mail: Travel.Support@Sefton.gov.uk

3^rd Floor, Magdalen House

30 Trinity Road

Bootle

L20 3NJ

Public Transport – Merseytravel

Telephone: 0151 330 1000

Website: www.merseytravel.gov.uk/

Applying for SEND Travel Support

You can apply for travel support using this online form or if you need further information please contact Travel Support Team Travel.Support@sefton.gov.uk

Eligibility

School age pupils are eligible for travel support if they:

Are attending their nearest qualifying school and meet the eligible distance criteria relevant to their age group; or
Are from a low-income family and are attending a qualifying school and meet the eligible distance criteria; or
Attend their nearest qualifying school and unable to walk or access public transport because of their Special Educational Need Disability (SEND) or mobility.

Deadlines