Post-16 transport for pupils with special educational needs (SEND)

Transport needs for each child are assessed on an individual basis, based on the information within their EHCP and information from professionals and parents.

Transport is provided in the following way:

• Placed on an existing transport route
• Personal Transport Budget
• New transport arrangements

Decisions on transport provision are dependent on whichever best meets the needs of the student and is cost effective to the Council.

Transport provision is reviewed as part of the annual EHCP review. This gives the opportunity to consider whether the current arrangements continue to meet your child/young person’s identified needs and stated outcomes.

During the year there may be other students joining and leaving routes. It is not always possible to advise families about these changes in advance.

Where routes and providers are being reviewed by the Council, families will be notified and informed of any changes in advance.

The Council also has a legal obligation to review and re-tender transport contracts on a regular basis. However, any review of this nature will be communicated with parents prior to any changes being made.

If a child has been placed at an independent out of county provision, transport support will be provided. You may be asked to transport your child and costs will be met. Please see the Personal Transport Budget (PTB) information on the SEND Information Hub for details on this.

If you do not have access to a vehicle or are unable to provide transport, the Council will provide transport in the same process mentioned above.

Young people with SEND may be eligible for transport assistance if they meet the following criteria:

• Live in Cambridgeshire
• Aged between 16 and 25 years
• Have a valid Statement or EHCP, and unable to access public transport, school bus contracts or walk
• On a full- time course (minimum 15 taught hours) and attending their nearest appropriate centre, offering an appropriate course for that young person
• Live more than 3 miles from the school / college or not be able to walk less than those distances specified due to SEND

Applications can be made online, www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/transport, please follow the link to the Post16 SEND pages.

A contribution will be required for Post16 transport unless a member of the household (or student) is in receipt of one of the qualifying low-income documents CCC accept.

CCC accept the following evidence of low income if a member of the household (or student themselves) meets the qualifying criteria:

• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
• Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• NHS Tax Exemption certificate
• Universal Credit with a household monthly net income of no more than £935

ALL pages of low-income evidence MUST be provided with applications. If none of the above are applicable, a financial contribution is required.

The financial contribution for the 2025/26 academy year is £269.50 per term.

No, the fee that is paid is a small contribution towards transport, the cost of transport is heavily subsidised by CCC.

This will depend on each child’s assessed individual needs. Most will travel via dedicated school/college buses or other shared transport arrangements

CCC provide the most cost-effective transport solutions that meet the needs of the students, which means wherever possible, students will travel with others going to the same provision. Passenger Assistants (PA’s) are assessed on a case-by-case basis. These arrangements are reviewed annually and therefore, a PA being on a route one year does not guarantee a PA for subsequent years. It is essential full details are provided on applications every year, so assessments can be made, and appropriate transport and staff are provided.

Prior to the start of the school term (for September applications received before the deadline), or 15 working days from submission of a completed application, whichever is longer. If specialist transport (i.e. wheelchair or specially trained staff) is required, this may take longer to procure and organise.

Yes. You’ll be given the transport provider’s details so you can contact them to arrange a meet-and-greet and get timings.

Visit Home to school transport reviews and appeals | Cambridgeshire County Council for how to appeal and what to do next.

No, CCC only provide transport for the start and the end of the school/college day.

Any changes of circumstances should be emailed to h2stransportrequest@cambridgeshire.gov.uk with your child’s details and the change. If you move house, you will need to provide evidence of your new address. Your child’s transport eligibility may also be reviewed and change

Yes, PTT will send out written notification when payments are due, failure to pay will result in transport being ceased.

Maybe. You can apply for a Personal Travel Budget (PTB) instead of council transport. It’s only approved if it’s the most suitable or cost-effective option. Please visit Personal transport budgets | Cambridgeshire County Council for further information.  Please note, PTB’s are reviewed annually and if this is no longer the most cost-effective solution that meets students’ needs, the parental budget option may be ceased.

Should the SEND post-16 transport policy not be met, or public transport, rail or school bus contract is the preferred option, applications can be made via the mainstream Post16 process. Please see www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/transport and follow the links to the mainstream post16 page for further information.

We aim to assess entitlement for Post-16 assistance within 10 working days. However, this is dependent on having all the information needed, including confirmation of the placement from the Statutory Assessment Team.