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School Transport - Special Education Needs (SEN)

Is my child entitled to special educational needs transport?

If you have received a letter from the Special Educational Needs Administrative Service confirming your child’s admission to school or learning support class and you answer yes to either of the following statements, your child will be entitled to special educational needs transport :-

  • Your child is of primary school age and lives 1 ½ miles or more from the most suitable school or learning support class as confirmed by the Special Education Needs Administrative Service. 
  • Your child is of secondary school age and lives 2 miles or more from the most suitable school or learning support class as confirmed by the Special Education Needs Administrative Service.

If you have answered yes to the above, you must apply for a seat on special educational needs transport by clicking on the link below and completing the application in full for each individual child. Incomplete forms will be returned to you, which will delay transport for your child.

We understand that any information shared is confidential and we will only share this information with those who need to know. This form asks for information which in our experience can have a positive impact on a child’s journey to and from school.

If you require further assistance with completing this form please contact 01443 425001 or drop in to any of the Councils One4aLL Advice Centres or Libraries.

Apply for a Special Educational Needs School Transport Online
Please note we normally require ten working days to arrange transport.

If your child does not meet distance criteria outlined or you haven’t received a letter from the Special Education Needs Administrative Service, transport cannot be provided unless there is clear medical evidence stating that the child’s mobility or special educational needs are such that the child cannot get to and from school, even when accompanied. Medical evidence should be submitted to Integrated Transport Unit, Tŷ Glantaf, Unit B23, Taffs Fall Road, Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5TT.

When will I find out about my child’s transport arrangements?

On receipt of the application form the school transport team has 10 working days to arrange the most suitable transport.

A letter or e-mail will be sent to parents / carers when the transport has been arranged. This letter sets out which transport provider will be transporting your child and also provides their telephone number. If transport is required for the new academic year, the school transport team will arrange and advise you during the summer holidays.

What mode of transport will be provided?

The Council is committed to providing the best and most appropriate system of transportation that will carry learners safely, comfortably and without unreasonable levels of stress. Transport is generally provided by contracted taxi or minibus, though where it is more cost effective to do so you may be offered a Personal Transport Budget (PTB). More information relating to a PTB can be found online.

As a parent or carer of a child going into a SEN school / class, what am I responsible for?

Parents or carers should be aware that transport is provided to and from the home address only and no other pick up or drop off point will be authorised.  The exception to this condition is if the pupil attends respite care, where this is part of a separate formal agreement that the Council puts in place with the Contractor.

It is your responsibility to take your child to and from the vehicle.

Every endeavour will be made to collect / drop off your child at the kerbside outside your home.  Parents or carers should therefore be ready at least 10 minutes prior to the collection / drop off time as specified by the contractor. Should parents or carers not be at the home address to receive their child, then regrettably, contractors are advised that pupils are to be taken to a place of safety, for example the nearest police station or social services office.

Will I meet the driver and passenger assistant before my child starts school?

All drivers and passenger assistants are instructed to meet with all new pupils and their parents / carers before being transported by them to school. At this time they will also confirm pick up and drop off times.

What if my new transport provider has not been to visit me and my child?

You will need to let the school transport team know if the transport provider has failed to arrange a visit date with you, by either reporting the problem online or by telephoning 01443 425001.

The driver and/ or passenger assistant are constantly changing, which is upsetting my child. What do I do?

The continuity of drivers and passenger assistants are important, particularly in the transportation of pupils with special needs. We ask all our transport providers to keep changes to drivers and passenger assistants to a minimum and only use alternative drivers and passenger assistants to cover sickness and holidays.  If you find that the driver and or passenger assistant is changing on a regular basis then please report it to the school transport team by either reporting the problem online or by telephoning 01443 425001.  

Why is my child’s transport provider changing?

Occasionally it is necessary for the transport provider to change, any changes to school transport will be communicated to parents / carers and the school immediately and disruption for the child will be kept to a minimum.

What do I need to do if my child is ill or not attending school?

If your child will not be attending school, because of illness or other reasons, then you need to contact your transport provider to inform them as soon as possible. This will avoid any unnecessary journeys being undertaken. If your child travels alone please also inform the school transport team by telephoning 01443 425001. You will also need to contact the School to inform them of the absence.

What do I need to do if I move address?

If you move address you will need to inform the Special Educational Needs Administrative Services – 01443 744348 who will determine if your child is still entitled to attend the same school and learning support class. The school transport team will then need to re-assess whether your child is still entitled to school transport on distance.  When entitlement is confirmed the school transport team will review your previous application for transport and look to put in place the most suitable transport arrangement. This may take up to 10 working days.

My child is required to take medication to school. Can this go with them in the vehicle?

Yes. Medication can be transported to your child’s school. Please ensure the medication is in a secure container in their school bag where other children cannot access it. You will also need to make the driver and or passenger assistant aware that medication is being transported and that the medication and equipment register is filled in for each journey.

As a parent or carer of a child who travels in a wheelchair or buggy, what am I responsible for?

 As a parent / carer you are required to ensure that the wheelchair / buggy is suitably maintained, for example, with appropriate restraints, headrest, anchor points, handles, inflated tyres, adjusted brakes etc. This information should also be discussed with the transport provider when you meet with them.

If the equipment fails to meet a reasonable standard, transport can be withdrawn until the wheelchair / buggy meets the required safety standard.