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School transport for children with special educational needs

Please note that between 15th January and 14th February 2025 we are consulting about potential changes to Post-16 SEND home to school travel support. Find out more Post-16 SEND home to school travel consultation | Have Your Say Sheffield

Choosing a School and Getting There

When picking a school for your child, think about how they will get there. Most parents help their children get to and from school. But if you qualify, Sheffield City Council can give free travel support.

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Helping young people travel on their own - Zoom Zero Travel Pass

If you qualify for a free Zoom Zero pass, you can travel between home and school for free.  Find out more and apply.

You might also get a Disabled Person’s Travel Pass. This lets you travel for free on buses during off-peak times across England (plus extra perks South Yorkshire). Find out more and apply.

Home to school travel support in Sheffield

Most children and young people with special needs travel to school on their own or with family help. Extra travel support can include:

  • Training to help children and young people travel on their own
  • Free travel passes
  • Money back for travel costs to and from school
  • Minibus or taxi rides, usually shared with other children and young people

Who Can Get Travel Support

The government sets rules for who can get free travel to school. Sheffield City Council checks applications based on these rules.

They look at:

  • Children and young people aged 5 to 16 who can't walk or take public transport to school because of their special needs or disabilities
  • If the route to school is safe to walk

Having an Education, Health and Care Plan doesn’t always mean your child will get travel support. Your child can get travel support even without this plan.

A child usually won’t get travel support just because their parent/carers are busy with work or other responsibilities.

Post 16 travel support

There are some differences about Post 16 travel support and a separate Post 16 policy. Find out more.

Short term medical request for transport

The Travel Assessment and Training team can also provide transport for young people who have a short-term medical reason that is keeping them from going to school.

Contact them on the below details.  They will need the students name and date of birth.  They will then send out a form to be completed and sent back.

They will ask for things like:

  • medical evidence
  • confirmation from a medical professional
  • approximate recovery time

They will be then look at the application to see if transport can be provided.

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