Post 16 Transport Policy Statement

3.0 Support for learners with special educational needs or disabilities

The council has a duty to encourage, enable and assist participation of all young people with special educational needs difficulties or disabilities (SEND). However, there is no automatic entitlement to free home to school transport for students over 16 at the beginning of the academic year (1 September).

Post 16 SEND students who continue their education can apply for transport support. Students or parents and carers are required to complete an application form to apply for free transport. An individual assessment process to determine eligibility to free transport and the type of transport required will be carried out and applications will be notified.

This will apply to Post 16 students who were previously in receipt of a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) prior to admission to school or college where the following criteria are also met:

  • the journey must be more than three miles from home to school or college
  • the student must be enrolled on a full-time course (above 15 hours per week) for a whole academic year at a school or college
  • the student must be following his/her course at the nearest school or college where that course is provided

Each application will be individually assessed. Students, parents or carers will need to re-apply for transport on an annual basis.

The term “16 to 19” for the purpose of determining entitlement to travel under this section is defined as the beginning of the academic year following a student’s 16th birthday to the end of the academic year in which the student’s 19th birthday falls.

Parents or students can appeal in writing within 20 working days of receiving notification of the local authority’s decision not to provide transport or against the detailed arrangements made.

Find out more about the appeals process

For more information contact the Assisted Travel Service: 

Support for young people aged 18 years and above may be available if Critical and Substantial Fair Access to Care criteria are met following an assessment of need by the Department of Adult Social Services.

More information is available in the Adult Social Service Transport Policy.