Post-16 transport for pupils with special educational needs
If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and is aged between 16 and 25, they may be eligible for assistance with transport.
Many students with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) are expected to travel independently either by public transport or on foot to their post-16 education provision, unless their SEND, medical or disability prevents this.
Eligibility information
Young people with SEND may be eligible for transport assistance if they meet the following criteria:
- Live in Cambridgeshire
- Be aged between 16 and 25 years
- Have a valid Statement or EHCP, and be 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
For families who are in receipt of the following benefits, free post-16 transport provision would be offered, if all the eligibility criteria is met:
- 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
- Holds the NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate
If you do not qualify for the above benefits, a contribution of £195 per term (2019/20 academic year) will be payable at the point of application.
Should your child not meet the SEND post-16 transport policy, or is able to access public transport, rail or school bus contract, please visit our mainstream post-16 education transport page to check eligibility.
Transport provision
Transport needs for each child are assessed on an individual basis, based on their Statement / EHCP and information from professionals and parents. Transport is provided in the following way:
- Placed on an existing transport route
- New transport provision
- Personal transport budget
Whichever best meets the child's needs and is cost effective to the Council.
Out of county placements
If a child has been placed at an independent out of county provision, transport support will be provided. You will be asked to transport your child and costs will be met. Please see the personal transport budget page 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.
How to apply
All applications are assessed and approved by the Statutory Assessments Team (SAT). Please allow 15 working days for applications to be processed. This may increase during peak periods.
If you would prefer to complete a paper application form instead of using the online system, a copy can be found below.
Making a payment for additional terms
If you have already made a successful application for the current academic year, you can pay online for additional terms. Please note this application is only for renewals during the same academic year.
Personal transport budgets
For full details, please visit our personal transport budgets page.
Reviewing transport provision
A review of your child's transport provision will be made annually as part of the annual review process. The nature of SEND transport means that arrangements have to be flexible, with pupils joining and leaving routes throughout the year, and the Council are not able to communicate these changes to parents. Changes to operators are avoided where possible, but are occasionally out of the Council's control.
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.
Documents
Contact
Social and Education Transport Team
Box No. SH1013
Shire Hall
Cambridge
CB3 0AP
Email: edtransport@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01223 715 600
