Transport for Students with Special Educational Needs
There are no specific statutory provisions relating to the transport of children with special educational needs. Children with special educational needs are covered by the same legislation as other pupils. For details of the home to school transport policy click here|. The Authority has a duty to make arrangements for transport up to the end of statutory school age in particular specified cases. Pupils entitled to transport provision would normally live beyond a prescribed distance, or be unable to walk safely to school, and be attending the nearest appropriate school as determined by the Authority.
The Special Educational Needs Inclusion Strategy places a strong emphasis on including pupils with special educational needs in their local primary or secondary school. To ensure we do not disadvantage or discriminate against any pupils with special educational needs attending mainstream, we have moved towards a common policy for all pupils that is fairly and consistently applied across the County.
The placement of a child with special educational needs in a mainstream or special school/unit does not automatically result in the provision of free transport to the school/unit. The SEN Panel will undertake an assessment of the pupil's special educational needs and apply the common and SEN specific criteria to determine whether transport should be provided (click here for the link to the home to school transport policy|). In carrying out this assessment the pupil's age and level of ability will be taken into account.
Transport is provided subject to the criteria outlined below if the pupil is attending the nearest available provision of the type which is appropriate to meet the pupil's needs. Where a parent chooses to send their child to a more distant school or specialist provider, then the parent will assume responsibility for the provision of transport and associated costs. Such circumstances will be noted on the statement of special educational needs. Transport is provided between home and school only.
Criteria for transport
Transport may be provided for children with special educational needs to the nearest appropriate school if:
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The pupil is aged under 11 years and lives more than two miles from the nearest appropriate school.
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The pupil is aged 11 years or over at the start of the school year and lives more than three miles from the nearest appropriate school.
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The pupil has a physical or sensory impairment which makes it impossible for them to travel to school by any other means and which prevents them from walking safely to school even when accompanied by a responsible adult.
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The pupil has a severe, profound and multiple learning difficulty, or a disability, which prevents them from walking safely to school, even when accompanied by a responsible adult.
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The pupil has a disability which places them on the autistic spectrum which prevents them from walking safely to school, even when accompanied by a responsible adult
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The pupil has a disability, which prevents them from accessing the transport generally available to take other pupils from that area to the school.
If free transport is agreed to be necessary because of the pupil's special needs, it will be specified by the appropriate SEN Panel. The free transport provided will be subject to an Annual Review. The provision of transport may cease to be necessary as the child grows older and if they become more independent. Such decisions will be taken on an individual basis and will take full account of the pupil's needs.
Post 16 Transport
Since September 2007, post 16 students with special educational needs have been expected to pay the same contribution towards the cost of transport provision as all other students. For 2011-2012 the charge has been set at £430. Students will need to apply each academic year if they wish transport assistance to continue. Students will receive transport appropriate to their needs, to the nearest learning provider that offers the course. Transport assistance is provided to the closest suitable school or college offering the course which must be at level 3 or below.
Students who can provide proof that they are or their parents are in receipt of Income Support, Guaranteed Pension Credit, Income Related Employment and Support Allowance or Income Based Job Seekers Allowance will be exempt from the charges. Where transport assistance is provided by the Authority it will continue until the student reaches the age of 19, or until they finish their course of study, provided they are attending the nearest appropriate learning provider, as determined by the Authority.
Please complete and return your application form to -
Integrated Transport and Planning Unit,
Riverway
Stafford
ST16 3TJ
or email it to student.transport@staffordshire.gov.uk|
SEN post 16 application form 2011-2012| (42kb)
Escorts
Escorts will be provided on special needs transport if:
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The pupil is under 5 years old
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The SEN Panel decides that the pupil has a disability, which makes it necessary to provide an escort.
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The pupil has an emotional/behavioural difficulty which gives rise to concerns about the well being of the pupil or other pupils or staff.
Schools have a responsibility to ensure that escorts are fully briefed about the needs of the pupils. A Handbook for escorts is available from the school and schools have responsibility to ensure that all escorts receive training on their roles and responsibilities.
It is not the escort or driver's role to administer medication for any pupils in their care, unless it has been agreed and signed off in the pupil's care plan.
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