Staffordshire’s Under-16 travel policy explains who qualifies for free or assisted school transport based on distance, needs, and income.
When a pupil receives Education Otherwise Than at School (EOTAS), the authority will not normally provide travel assistance to the agreed provision. This applies whether the provision is arranged by the authority or by the parent using a personal budget.
In exceptional circumstances, we may consider providing travel assistance for pupils who are EOTAS under section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014 and who do not have any provision named in section I of their Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan. In these cases, families must show that their child would not be able access the nearest suitable provision/provider (as agreed by the authority), without financial support from the council. We would not offer travel assistance to a more distant provision/provider preferred by the parent.
If travel assistance is agreed, it will only be offered where the journey is:
Support if agreed would usually be provided as a mileage allowance or a personal travel budget, depending on the child’s needs (see our policy for an explanation of these options). If the provision does not take place at a fixed location or to a fixed timetable, assistance must be agreed in advance of each journey. In these cases, support may be limited to a maximum total or based on an average mileage each year so that payments can be calculated.
We may also consider other exceptional circumstances. However, families should note that work commitments, family reasons, or childcare arrangements alone are not considered exceptional circumstances and would not normally result in travel assistance being provided.
Parents should apply in writing via their SEND keyworker with all supporting information they wish to be considered.
