Transport

Home to School Transport

Statutory school age children (aged 5 to 16) are eligible to receive free travel assistance provided via their local authority, if they meet certain criteria, which include the age of the child, the distance to school, the nature of the route and income status.

Please find the relevant local authority section below for your home address, for links to more information on if you qualify and how to apply.

It's worth bearing in mind that applications for transport can take a number of weeks before they are approved/declined, so it is advised to begin the application process before the start of the new school year (for new pupils), or as soon a possible if applying during the school year.

If your application for travel assistance has been declined, there is an appeals process you can follow if you feel the decision is wrong. Links for help on how to do that are noted in the relevant sections below.

Parents and carers are responsible for getting their child to school while the local authority asses the applications and make the arrangements. They do not refund travel expenses.

Stoke-On-Trent City Council

The link below will take you to the Stoke-On-Trent City Council's page for SEND transport assistance. Here you will find all the information on whether your child is eligible to receive free travel assistance, and how to apply.

Stoke-On-Trent City Council - SEND Transport & Travel Information

Before you apply for travel assistance, it is advised to refer to Stoke Gov's Home to School Travel Assistance Policy to ensure that your child is eligible.

If you think that your child qualifies for free transport to and from school, you can apply through the citizen portal. CLICK HERE to sign in or register for a citizen portal account. From there you can apply for SEN transport support.

For further questions around applications, you can contact transportrequests@stoke.gov.uk

Telephone: 01782 233737

Appeals: if your application for travel assistance has been declined, you have the right to appeal. Applications must be submitted within 20 working days from receiving your outcome letter/email. For more information regarding Stoke-On-Trent's appeals process, CLICK HERE. To request an appeal form email schooltransport@stoke.gov.uk

Staffordshire County Council

The link below will take you to Staffordshire county council's page for SEND transport advice and information. Here you will find all the information on whether your child is eligible to receive free travel assistance, and how to apply.

It may take up to 10 days to make a decision on your application, and if agreed, then a further 20 working days after they get your application to arrange transport. You will need to make and pay for your own travel arrangements during this time.

Staffordshire County Council - SEN Travel Homepage

Before you apply for travel assistance, it is advised to refer to Staffordshire’s Home to School Transport Policy to ensure that your child is eligible.

For further questions around applications/arrangements, you can contact the SEN transport team: sentransportqueries@staffordshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 111 8000

Appeals: If your application for travel assistance has been declined, you have the right to appeal. To do so you will need to complete an online form within 20 working days of the application being refused. For more information on what to do, CLICK HERE.

Or to complete their online appeal form CLICK HERE.

Cheshire East Council

The link below will take you to Cheshire East council's page for SEND transport advice and information. Here you will find all the information on whether your child is eligible to receive free travel assistance, and how to apply.

Cheshire East Council - Home to School Travel Support

Before you apply for travel assistance, it is advised to refer to Cheshire East's Compulsory school age travel policy to ensure that your child is eligible.

If you think that your child qualifies for free transport to and from school, you can apply through the Cheshire East Councils website by CLICKING HERE. From there, you can apply for home to school travel assistance.

For applications for the current school year, they normally make decisions within 5 to 10 days and once eligibility has been confirmed, the Transport Operations will confirm arrangements and send out any travel passes within 14 days. It may take longer at the start of term and during peak periods.

If you are applying for next September, they advise you to complete an application as soon as possible, but by the end of April at the latest. This will enable them to tell you their decision as early as possible, and enable them to plan arrangements for the new academic year. They will confirm arrangements and send travel passes in August.

For further questions around applications/arrangements, you can contact the SEN transport team: sendtransport@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 123 5012 (option 1)

appeals: If your application for travel assistance has been declined, you would like to appeal, click here to go to Cheshire Easts appeals advice page or to submit a request for a review.