Post 16 Transport Policy for Students with Special Educational Needs (SEN)/Learning Difficulties and Disabilities (LDD) who are resident in South Gloucestershire academic year 2011/2012.
Policy statement, objectives and requirements
This policy takes account of relevant legislation and guidance on assistance with transport to enable post 16 students with SEN and LDD to access educational provision.
At the same time, the policy is intended actively to encourage young people to travel as independently and inclusively as possible and to develop confidence in travel skills. Arrangements are also being made to develop Independent Travel Training.
Where support with travel is agreed, the use of public transport (with provision of passes, if approved) will be encouraged as the norm. Taxi and minibus transport will be considered only in exceptional circumstances and where there is no feasible alternative.
Eligibility for assistance with transport will depend on the applicant fulfilling a number of general requirements (set out below). Individual assessments of eligibility will be carried out as appropriate.
It should be noted that post 16 transport is not, generally, a statutory entitlement. In relation to applications the Council will need to consider whether the cost of transport provision is reasonable in relation to public expenditure.
Post 16 attendance at school
Some post 16 students with SEN/LDD continue to attend school. South Gloucestershire Council will consider assistance with transport for those students who meet the following conditions:
- the student is subject to a Statement of Special Educational Needs and the Statement specifies the need for transport to enable the student to access provision; and
- the student is attending the nearest appropriate school for a relevant full-time course and lives more than 3 miles (as measured by the nearest available walking route) from the school; and
- the course immediately progresses from statutory school age education.
Post 16 attendance at college
South Gloucestershire Council will consider assistance with transport for students at FE colleges who meet the following conditions:
- the student is attending the nearest college for a relevant full-time course; and
- the student lives more than 3 miles (as measured by the nearest available walking route) from the college; and
- the student was previously subject to a Statement of Special Educational Needs which specified the need for transport, or is now assessed as having SEN/LDD and requiring support with travel due to those needs.
It is important to note the following points:
- assistance with transport will be considered to a college/course closest to home which is relevant, and not necessarily the college/course which is the student’s highest preference;
- any transport assistance will be subject to annual review and an application must be made for each academic year;
- transport assistance will generally be offered for one course of study only; and
- transport assistance will generally be given only until the end of the academic year in which the student becomes 19 years of age.
Other requirements in relation to school/college transport
Where South Gloucestershire Council approves assistance with transport, the Council reserves the right to determine the mode of transport and the daily start/finish times when transport will be provided.
Wherever possible, consideration will be given to the use of public transport passes as a means of encouraging independent travel skills. Schools and colleges will be expected to support independent travel training where appropriate.
Where taxi, minibus or coach transport is approved, sharing of provision may be required. The Council will specify pick up points which will be within a reasonable distance of the home address. It should be noted that pick up directly from home cannot necessarily be provided.
Where transport assistance is approved, the Council may consider a mileage allowance or reimbursement of student travel costs as an alternative to transport provision in line with Council policies.
Assistance with transport to schools/colleges which are nearer than 3 miles from home (as measured by the nearest available walking route) will be considered only in exceptional circumstances.
Independant specialist/residential colleges
A small number of students with SEN/LDD attend specialist further education colleges, including residential provision. In these cases, the college placement will have individually agreed by the Council. Support for transport in these cases will normally be provided as part of the approval of the college placement.
Financial Contribution
The Council may exercise its discretion in appropriate cases to ask students, parents and carers for a contribution towards travel costs where the Council agrees some level of assistance. This will include cases where the student is in receipt of DLA/Motability allowance.
How to apply
If you think you may be eligible please download the form in the 'Do it now' section of this page.
Post 16 Policy Statement
If you would like further information including details of all concessionary fares, discounts, subsidies or travel cards available for students aged 16-19 please refer to the full policy statement in the 'Read more' section of this page.