Home to school transport policy

The duty of the local authority is to assess each child on an individual basis. The general expectation is that a child will be accompanied by a parent or carer unless there is a good reason why the parent cannot do so.

In carrying out these individual assessments this local authority will consider whether the child could reasonably be expected to walk to school. If so, account will be taken of whether the child's parents or carer can reasonably be expected to accompany the child. Factors such as the child's age will be taken into account.

Individual assessments will be undertaken as part of the education, health and care planning process and will therefore be re-assessed on an annual basis. These processes are set out in the local offer.

A transport assessment will also be undertaken for children whom are placed by the local authority in a school with an additionally resourced provision. These children may not have an Education, Health and Care Plan. These provisions or units are attached to some mainstream schools and are appropriately resourced with specialist staff and/or equipment to meet the very specific needs of some groups of children. Children attending these provisions are always placed by the local authority and they are usually on the roll of the school with the provision. 

This local authority also supports independent travel training for as many children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities as possible, to enable them to travel independently.

The authority notes that children with short term medical conditions may require support in getting to school and will give consideration to children in this situation. In all such cases a written statement from a medical practitioner involved will be required. Any support put in place will be time limited and subject to regular review.