Post-16 transport for pupils with special educational needs (SEND)

Transport needs for each child are assessed on an individual basis, based on the information within their EHCP and information from professionals and parents.

Transport is provided in the following way:

• Placed on an existing transport route
• Personal Transport Budget
• New transport arrangements

Decisions on transport provision are dependent on whichever best meets the needs of the student and is cost effective to the Council.

Transport provision is reviewed as part of the annual EHCP review. This gives the opportunity to consider whether the current arrangements continue to meet your child/young person’s identified needs and stated outcomes.

During the year there may be other students joining and leaving routes. It is not always possible to advise families about these changes in advance.

Where routes and providers are being reviewed by the Council, families will be notified and informed of any changes in advance.

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.

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 (PTB) information on the SEND Information Hub 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.

Young people with SEND may be eligible for transport assistance if they meet the following criteria:

• Live in Cambridgeshire
• Aged between 16 and 25 years
• Have a valid Statement or EHCP, and 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

Applications can be made online, www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/transport, please follow the link to the Post16 SEND pages.

A contribution will be required for Post16 transport unless a member of the household (or student) is in receipt of one of the qualifying low-income documents CCC accept.

CCC accept the following evidence of low income if a member of the household (or student themselves) meets the qualifying criteria:

• 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
• NHS Tax Exemption certificate
• Universal Credit with a household monthly net income of no more than £935

ALL pages of low-income evidence MUST be provided with applications. If none of the above are applicable, a financial contribution is required.

2023/24 contribution is £231.00 per term, or £693.00 for the year. The contribution for the academic year 2024/25 will be £245.00 per term, or £735.00 for the year.

No, the fee that is paid is a small contribution towards transport, the cost of transport is heavily subsidised by CCC.

By going through the SEND transport process, it has been assessed that specialist transport is required. As such, the majority of Post16 SEND transport is provided on taxis and minibus transport. Some students are issued transport on dedicated school/college buses.

CCC provide the most cost-effective transport solutions that meet the needs of the students, which means wherever possible, students will travel with others going to the same provision. Passenger Assistants (PA’s) are assessed on a case-by-case basis, they could be provided if a pupil has a medical need (i.e. epilepsy) or behaviour concern. These arrangements are reviewed annually and therefore, a PA being on a route one year does not guarantee a PA for subsequent years. It is essential full details are provided on applications every year, so assessments can be made, and appropriate transport and staff are provided.

Prior to the start of the school term, or 15 working days from submission of a completed application, whichever is longer. If specialist transport (i.e. wheelchair or specially trained staff) is required, this may take longer to procure and organise.

Parent/carers will be informed of their new transport provider and can contact them to arrange a meet and greet with transport staff. They will also be able to advise of pick-up and drop off times at this point.

Please visit our website for up-to-date information on our appeals process and advice on next steps. https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/school-transport/home-to-school-transport-reviews-appeals

No, CCC only provide transport for the start and the end of the school/college day.

Any changes of circumstances should be emailed to edtransport@cambridgeshire.gov.uk with full details of the pupil and the changes required. Please be advised, a change of home address will result in eligibility for transport to be reviewed. This would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and could result in transport no longer being provided.

Yes, PTT will send out written notification when payments are due, failure to pay will result in transport being ceased.

PTB is a payment made to parent/guardian instead of taxi/minibus transport, this can be used to cover the cost of transporting yourself, or towards another form of transport. All requests for PTB are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and only authorised if this is the most cost-effective transport solution or is deemed the safest way of transporting. The PTB payment would be advised during any discussions. Please note, PTB’s are reviewed annually and if this is no longer the most cost-effective solution that meets students’ needs, the parental budget option may be ceased.

Should the SEND post-16 transport policy not be met, or public transport, rail or school bus contract is the preferred option, applications can be made via the mainstream Post16 process. Please see www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/education/transport and follow the links to the mainstream post16 page for further information.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity however, Post16 eligibility checks will not commence until August so you may not hear from us until then.

Prior to the start of the school term, or 15 working days from submission of a completed application, whichever is longer. If specialist transport (i.e. wheelchair or specially trained staff) is required, this may take longer to procure and organise.