Introduction
We provide help with travel between home and school or college for eligible children and young people living in the city. Parent/carers are legally responsible for making sure their child attends school regularly, which includes arranging and funding their travel. However, we have a duty to provide free, suitable travel assistance for certain 'eligible' children.
This policy explains who is eligible for help and how we provide it.
Parental preference means that parents can send their child to any school that they can attain a place. If funding their child's travel to school is an issue, when applying for a school place, parents should apply to their nearest and next nearest school.
The Local Authority (Council) can offer travel assistance to eligible children, if the Local Authority are unable to provide a school place within the statutory distances listed.
Suitable School does not mean the most suitable school for a child. Schools can meet a wide range of needs. The nearest school to the home will almost always be their nearest suitable school (provided it would be able to admit them).
These pages explain more about:
- Responsibilities
- Eligibility for children aged 5 to 16
- Special arrangements for children with SEND (aged 5 to 16)
- Travel assistance for young people aged 16 and over
- Discretionary Travel Assistance
- What travel assistance does not cover
- Applying
- Service standards
- Reviews, appeals and complaints
A full copy of the policy is available on request through email.