Apply for travel support

If your child is eligible for travel assistance and you are interested in applying, the first step is to register your interest.

Free transport will be provided for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) who have been offered a school placement by Leicester City Council and who meet the following criteria:

• For a child of statutory school age under 8 years and where the child is placed in a school which is more than 2 miles from their home address.
• For a child or young person of statutory school age between 8 and 16 years and where the child is placed in a school which is more than 3 miles from their home address.

However, if a parent or carer chooses to place their child in a school which is different to that offered by Leicester City Council, and the distance to this school is further than that detailed above, then no support with transport is usually offered.

To be eligible for support under the updated Post-16 SEND transport policy, the following criteria apply:

• The young person must have 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.
• In limited exceptional circumstances, and where there would otherwise be demonstrable financial hardship, additional assistance, including council funded transport may be offered.

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

• A student or a parent/career can evidence that the student’s needs are such that the standard PTB offer will be insufficient and without further support they could not attend their place of education
• Situations where the circumstances mean that practically and / or financially it is not possible for parents or carers to make arrangements for transport despite their best efforts
• Where a parent or 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 assessments will take account of the income, savings and essential spending of the household and those with parental responsibility. 

To support the transition period, the council will continue to provide transport for an additional school year to young people with SEND in current Year 12 (2024/2025) moving to Year 13 (2025/2026).

• Complete the SEND transport application form

If you continue on with your application for a personal transport budget, you will be required to read and accept the conditions outlined in Direct Payment Agreement - personal transport budget

If you need any support with completing the form please contact your child's SENDCo.