Frequently asked questions - Post-16 transport

This webpage aims to answer frequently asked questions about the changes to our home to school and college travel policy 2025-2026 onwards, and Post-16 transport policy statement 2025-2026, which were approved on 22 May 2025. 

Our goal is to ensure that parents, carers and stakeholders are well informed about the changes and have the information they need to navigate them effectively.

The most significant changes to the policy are:

• The young person must have a complex SEND and a placement specified in an Education Health and Care Plan.
• Those eligible will generally be supported in the form of a Personal Transport Budget (PTB).
• In limited exceptional circumstances, and where there would otherwise be demonstrable financial hardship, additional assistance, including council funded transport may be offered.

• A diagnosed terminal illness that has severe impact on their current physical and/or mental health and that is likely to significantly reduce their life expectancy and/or.
• If required to travel independently, the student’s SEND needs or disability would jeopardise his/her safety or that of others and/or.
• The student has a mobility difficulty which requires specialised seating or a specialised vehicle e.g. tail-lift access that is not available to them (including on public transport where that has to be relied upon) and/or.
• The learner is likely to require medical intervention or personal care during the journey to and from school.

Personal transport budgets (PTB) give you the freedom and flexibility to make travel arrangements that best meet your family's needs and circumstance.

Other benefits include:

• Choice and control on how funding to support your child’s needs is spent.
• Your child may be more relaxed at school if they are dropped off or collected by someone close or familiar to them.
• Opportunities to co-ordinate with other parents with PTBs to arrange shared transport.
• Opportunity to use the PTB to support your child’s personal development, for example to encourage independent travel such as public transport to enable them to access social and employment opportunities in the future.

Using the personal transport budget

You have control of the payments providing your child arrives at school on time and ready to learn via a suitable mode of travel. This could include:

• Pooling budgets together with other parents to procure transport services.
• Driving your child to school in your own vehicle.
• Paying for wear and tear to your own vehicle.
• Paying for another child’s care while you escort your eligible child to school.
• Buying bicycles.
• Paying for a bus pass.
• Enabling you to choose a more sustainable mode of transport.
• To assist with independent travelling.

Consideration could be made for “limited exceptional circumstances” where:

• A student or a parent/carer can evidence that the student’s needs are such that the standard PTB offer will be insufficient and without further support they would not be able to attend their place of education.
• Situations where the circumstances mean that practically and/or financially it is not possible for parents or carers to arrange transport despite their best efforts.
• Where a parent/carer supporting the student with their journey is not reasonably practical whilst continuing in employment, or a reduction or flexibility in hours of employment would cause financial hardship as described.
• Other relevant factors may exceptionally be considered.

Each case will be decided after a holistic assessment of the circumstances on a case-by-case basis. 

Financial hardship is considered if you are in receipt of Free School Meals, receive the maximum level Working Tax Credit or receive Universal Credit. You are required to upload documentary evidence to support this.  

• Make an application for Post-16 home to school transport assistance 

There is no deadline to apply, however, it can take up to six weeks for us to process an application and provide transport, if successful. 

Family support workers at your young person's school may be able to offer support.

You can also contact the council by emailing sendtransportcommunication@leicester.gov.uk

SENDIASS Leicester can provide free, confidential advice. Visit the SENDIASS website.

Yes, as part of our application process we look at placements nearest to your home and where your child's needs are met.

Guidance on flexible working is available on GOV.UK. You should speak to your employer regarding flexible working arrangements. 

You may wish to evidence that your employer has refused your request if you application is declined and you are invited to appeal.

Connexions is a careers service for young people who live in Leicester City and are aged 16 to 18, or up to 25 for young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Connexions also have specialist personal advisers who are trained to work with young people with SEND to help them make decisions about their future.

If your application is declined, please look at the other advice provided in these FAQs. You also have the option to appeal. If your appeal is upheld, we will process your application immediately.

If your first appeal is declined, you have the option of a second stage appeal where you will be able to attend an online/in-person meeting. We will then make a final decision. 

At each stage you are asked to provide further evidence/information for our consideration.  If you do not have anything to add, don’t worry this meeting provides the opportunity for you to explain your situation in more detail and for the authority to double-check the decision that was made is correct. 

Stage 1 appeals are heard within 20 working days of the appeal being submitted. If you are not satisfied with the decision, you can request a stage 2 appeal.

Stage 2 appeals are heard within 40 working days of the appeal being submitted. 

We will prioritise your appeal by arranging it as soon as possible as we recognise the importance of doing so. 

Further information regarding our appeals process can be found in our Home to School and College Travel Policy.

There are various options available for you to explore:

• Talk to your school or college about what support they can offer around Independent Travel Training.
• Visit the SEND Local Offer website to see our offer of travel training for parents and carers.
• Travel training at home, practise short routes together, role play scenarios, learn how to use Google Maps and identify landmarks. 
• Leicester/Leicestershire bus operators have all taken steps to assist individuals with disabilities and those who need extra assistance with travel.  Visit this link which includes all local bus companies to see how they can help you i.e. have you heard of Assistance or Extra Help Cards.

You may consider the below:

• The 16-19 Bursary Fund, Please view our Transport Policy Statement, which details all of the support with bursaries available from colleges.
• Car sharing or making private arrangements

Some of Leicester’s secondary schools, academies and 6th form / further education colleges have additional bus contract arrangements on which learners or their parents can purchase places. Some further education colleges also offer direct support to students. Further information can be found on the SEND Local Offer

Information on Concessionary Tickets for young people 16-25 from public transport providers and Disabled person’s bus passes and can be found on our SEND Local Offer