There is no automatic entitlement to transport assistance for children who have an Education, health and care plan (EHC plan).
If you apply for a place at your designated school or the nearest school to your home address, your child will get free transport if they live further than the statutory walking distance from the school.
Walking distance is defined as over:
You can find out which is your designated mainstream school at School designated areas.
If your child’s EHC plan says that their needs can be met at a mainstream school, the normal eligibility criteria will apply, unless a disability or medical condition means they cannot walk the specified distance for their age.
Where a school is named in accordance with parental preference and is not the nearest suitable school, nor the designated school for the home address then there is no obligation for the Authority to assist with transport.
Please review our Education Travel Policy.
The information contained in this guide is also summarised in the Transport for children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education Health Care Plan leaflet.
If your child has been placed at a special school because it is the only school that can meet their needs then this school will become their designated school and the normal eligibility criteria for transport will apply.
However, if you have chosen a different school for your child, transport will only be available if it is the nearest or designated school to your home address.