Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) travel assistance

Applying for SEND travel assistance

Find out more about:

Who can apply

You can apply for travel assistance when your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

Having an EHC plan does not make a child or young person automatically eligible for SEND travel assistance.

Eligibility is assessed based on:

  • individual needs - taking into account their age and mobility
  • the distance from home to the school (if transport is not needed in relation to SEND needs).

In exceptional circumstances your child may be given special consideration based on medical grounds. If you want to apply on this basis, relevant medical evidence is needed at the time of application.

We'll also consider if you're unable to accompany your child due to your own medical conditions. Evidence will be required.

If your child does not have an EHC plan, you can apply for mainstream travel assistance.

If you’ve recently moved to Medway

You will not be able to apply for SEND travel assistance until your child’s SEN file has been transferred to our SEN education team.

You’ll need to ask your previous SEN officer to email the file to seneducationteam@medway.gov.uk.

How to apply

You can apply or reapply for SEND travel assistance online.

To apply, you will need:

  • your child’s name, address and date of birth
  • your child’s education provider details
  • your own name, address and contact details
  • details of two emergency contacts for your child
  • to select your preferred travel options for your child
  • the date the travel assistance needs to start.

You may also need: 

  • the name of your EHC Plan Officer
  • details of any benefits you receive
  • details of your child’s health or behavioural support needs and medication
  • details about your own health conditions if it makes it difficult for you to accompany your child to school
  • your social worker's name and contact details if you're applying for a child in care.

Apply for SEND travel assistance online

How we make a decision

All applications are considered by a SEND Travel Assistance Panel to find the most appropriate arrangement based on the needs of your child.

When making a decision about the type of travel assistance to be granted (including whether or not an individual passenger assistant is required) we’ll consider:

  • the specific needs of the pupil
  • if the family or carer might want to be financially supported to make their own travel arrangements
  • where applicable, the type of vehicle the pupil will be travelling in
  • the length of the journey
  • if the pupil is physically able to walk the distance between home and school.

Appealing a decision

If you disagree with our decision, you can request a review by a senior officer. Review requests should be submitted by:

This must be done within 20 working days of receiving the decision letter, clearly stating your reasons for the request.

If the senior officer upholds the original decision, you’ll then be given the opportunity to appeal.

View our SEND Education Travel Assistance Policy for further information, including how to appeal.

Reapplying for SEND travel assistance

Travel arrangements are reviewed every year.

We will contact you to let you know that either:

  • you need to reapply for SEND travel assistance for your child
  • your child’s travel arrangements will continue.

This is to ensure that the arrangements consider:

  • your child’s personal development
  • opportunities that promote independence
  • any changing circumstances such as medical needs.

Cancelling SEND travel assistance

If your child no longer needs SEND travel assistance you can cancel by emailing sentransport@medway.gov.uk.