It is important to consider how your child would get to and from school.

Your child will normally only be eligible for travel assistance, if they are attending the nearest appropriate school:

• If we have complied with your request for a specific school which is not the nearest appropriate school  to your child's home address, it will normally be your responsibility to ensure your child gets to school.
• Eligibility for travel assistance is not linked to the admission criteria of a school.
• Travel assistance for eligible children will ordinarily only be available from the first term after a child's fifth birthday, when they reach the compulsory school age. Travel assistance may be considered for children under the age of five in exceptional circumstances.
• Your child's eligibility for travel assistance changes once they reach 16 years of age and/or when they are in Year 11 at school. Once a young person enters post 16 education there is no longer a legal duty for a local authority to provide free or subsidised travel assistance. ln some instances we will provide travel assistance as a discretionary arrangement, if your child or young person has exceptional circumstances.
• You must not assume that existing transport or travel assistance will be operating or available in the future, including local and school buses.

A large number of Surrey children with an Education Health, and Care (EHC) plan do not receive, nor require travel assistance. However, we recognise that some children will require more support, and we will ensure that applications are assessed on an individual basis and that any decision about travel assistance is based on national eligibility guidance.

Eligibility, how and when to apply, outcomes and appeals

• Travel assistance for children with special education needs - for full details of our Travel Assistance Policy including eligibility, how and when to apply, key timescales for assessment of your application, and how to appeal.
• School transport and travel assistance - for full details of the transport and  travel assistance options available to your child.

Contact the Surrey School Travel and Assessment Team

If you have any questions or would like further information on eligibility for travel assistance, please contact us.