Parents have a legal responsibility to make sure their child attends the school they are on roll at. Children that attend a Special School or Learning Resource Base, will not always qualify for help with travel.
Details of transport assistance: Southend-on-Sea City Council Home to School Transport Policy.
Criteria for accessing home to school transport
Children that attend their closest suitable school or college, can get help with travel if:
- they receive high rate Disability Living Allowance for mobility, or
- enhanced rate Personal Independence Payment for mobility, or
- the school named in the child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is:
- over 2 miles from their home for primary aged pupils, or
- between 2 to 6 miles from their home for secondary aged pupils from a low income family, or
- over 3 miles from their home for all other pupils of secondary school age, and the wording in their EHCP does not exclude transport.
In certain circumstances, post-16 students may also be eligible for help with travel. Details about who may qualify
Specialist software is used to measure the distance from where a child usually lives and their school. This is always measured as the shortest available walking route between the two. If the child spends equal time at two addresses, the address taken is the one that the Child Benefit is paid to.
How to apply
You can apply to Southend-on-Sea City Council for travel assistance if:
- you live in Southend-on-Sea, and;
- have a child or young person aged 4 to 19 years in full-time education
The Council are required to promote sustainable travel to school. Therefore, all help with travel will be provided in the most efficient way.
Applications for travel to a special school or Learning Resource Base must be made in writing.
Your application will help us decide:
- if your child qualifies for help with travel and;
- the best choice of travel for them
If you live in another Local Authority, you must apply to them.
For the new school year in September 2024, applications received by Southend Council:
- by 31 May 2024 which are approved, will be guaranteed that the travel assistance provided will be in place for the start of the autumn term
- applications received after 31 May 2024 will be processed, and travel assistance awarded when eligible, but will not have the same guarantee
How to apply for help with travel.
Appealing a decision
If your application is not approved you can make an appeal. In line with legal requirements, Southend-on-Sea City Council have a 2 stage appeal process.
Stage 1 appeals are considered by a senior officer of the Council. The officer will re-assess the original application, and either:
- re-confirm the original decision to decline the application or:
- overturn it and support the appeal
If the stage 1 appeal is turned down, you can choose to go to stage 2 of the appeal process. The second stage gives you the opportunity to:
- make a personal statement of appeal and;
- provide evidence of individual circumstances that you feel show that help with travel should be provided
You can include supporting statements from professionals who know your child. This might, for example, include information from school or medical professionals.
Stage 2 appeals are considered by the Special Educational Needs Panel. The panel has professionals from different services in and outside the Council on it. You will have the choice to attend when this takes place. The Panel will decide:
- whether to provide help with travel assistance, and;
- if so, for how long
The stage 2 appeal completes the appeal process.
Further information
If you have questions about applying for help with travel please email EducationTransport@southend.gov.uk.
A copy of the service specification for the procurement of home to school transport for children and young people with SEND is available. Phone 01702 212328 or email localoffer@southend.gov.uk for a copy.
The Department for Education information about free school transport.