Travel assistance FAQs for parents / carers
Whose responsibility is it to get a child or young person to school?
Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring their child attends school. This includes making arrangements for the child to travel to and from school for the whole time they are there.
The Local Authority will only make arrangements, free-of-charge, for children to travel to school if they are eligible for travel assistance. This includes deciding what travel arrangements to make, provided they are suitable for the needs of the child.
My child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP), do I automatically qualify for travel assistance?
No, even if your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) or attends a specialist school it does not mean they automatically qualify for travel assistance.
Travel assistance is initially assessed on the distance a child or young person lives from their education setting. Within Sunderland, the eligibility distance criteria for all primary aged children is 2 miles and 3 miles for secondary aged children. The distance is always measured using the shortest walking distance for the child's home address to the education setting.
Please refer to our Home to School Transport Policy for further information on the eligibility criteria.
What type of travel assistance could I receive if eligible?
Should your child be eligible for travel assistance, the following options are available which can help make a choice suitable for your own circumstances.
- School Transport Mileage Rate (STMR)
- Independent Travel Training (ITT)
- Concessionary Travel Permit
- Dedicated Taxi / Minibus Transport
Will my child's transport assistance eligibility change when they transition from primary school to secondary school even if it is the same setting?
Yes, children and young people's travel assistance will need to be reassessed even if they remain in the same setting. The eligibility of the travel assistance is initially assessed on the distance the individual lives from the educational setting, but individuals' needs are also considered as part of this process.
How will the Local Authority ensure my child's safety?
Safety is of the upmost priority. As part of all SEND Home to School/College routes, both drivers and passenger assistants must hold a valid, enhanced DBS certificate. The DBS check for an individual must be renewed every 3 years, or a check carried out on the DBS Update Service if the applicant is part of that service. Once clearance is received an Education Permit is issued which must be worn at all times when transporting young people.
All drivers and passenger assistants must hold a valid PATs Certificate (Passenger Assistant Training). The training includes manual handling, basic first aid and dealing with children displaying challenging behaviours. In addition to PATs, Together for Children have made it compulsory that all mini-bus drivers and passenger assistants complete an online Safeguarding Course. Taxi drivers already complete this course as part of their taxi licence. Both PATs and Safeguarding are refreshed every 3 years.
If you wish to validate the identity of your driver or escort, please contact Home to School Transport on (0191) 561 2284.
The children and families who access transport also have a responsibility for safety. This would include the child or young people not eating, drinking or vaping/smoking in the vehicle. The behaviour of the individuals in transport must also be considered when reviewing the safety of all passengers, transport staff and other road users. The necessity for good behaviour is extremely important.
Are passenger assistants provided on dedicated school transport arrangements?
Not every route will have a passenger assistant on board, with each route reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The review will take into consideration the needs of the children and young people travelling, the number of passengers, age of the passengers, and any medical needs.
If it is felt, after reviewing the cases, that there may be a health and safety risk to the children and young people travelling, then a passenger assistant will be provided.
Is specialist equipment such as car seats, booster seats and harnesses provided by the transport?
Any specialist safety equipment must be sourced by the parent/carer of the child or young person if required for them to travel. If a child or young person travels in a wheelchair the transport provider will supply the appropriate ramps and clamping systems.
My child is over 16, are they still eligible for travel assistance?
Post 16 Travel assistance options are the same as those aged 5-16 years, however there may be a subsidised cost as families may be required to contribute to their young person's dedicated travel.
It is likely that young people will begin to want to make their own way to college or post 16 training setting. We encourage many of our post 16 learners, where appropriate, to undertake Independent Travel Training (ITT). ITT offers an important life skill and helps with employment and social skills.
To be eligible for travel assistance the student must be undertaking a full-time, further education course. If the student is attending a college out of area, but a college within the Sunderland area can offer the same, or a similar course, then transport out of area will not be provided.
Please refer to our Post 16 Transport Policy (2025/26) (PDF, 354 KB) for further information.
Does parental preference affect the eligibility of travel assistance?
Yes, if a parent/carer have expressed a preference for a school, when Together for Children have stated a nearer school could meet the learner's needs, then they would not be eligible for travel assistance, and it would be the parent/carer's responsibility.
Can travel assistance still be provided if my child does not meet the distance criteria or they do not have an EHCP?
Yes. If a child does not meet the distance criteria, medical advice must be sought from a medical professional (Paediatrician/CYPS/CAMHS). The advice must clearly state that due to the young person's needs, they would be unable to travel to and from school/college, even if accompanied by a responsible adult.
When will travel assistance not be considered?
Travel assistance will not be considered when a parental preference it is a school or post 16 setting that is not the closest school to meet the child or young person's needs.
No travel assistance is provided for transition visits, work placements or alternative provisions sourced by the setting named on the Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP).
Travel assistance will not be considered for after school/ breakfast clubs and can only be offered at the start and end of the school day.
What will happen to my travel assistance if I change address?
If you change addresses, you must notify the SEND Transport Team prior to your moving date. Your child's travel assistance will have to be reassessed as they may no longer meet the eligibility criteria.
I am unsure if Independent Travel Training is suitable for my child?
Independent Travel Training is tailored to every individual, and we work at the child or young person's own pace. An initial assessment is carried out by an experienced trainer to ensure your child is ready. You can discuss this with the school/college or contact our SEND Transport Team (Paul.Tomlin@togetherforchildren.org.uk) or for support around the anxieties of this please contact Sunderland's Parent Carer Forum.
To find out more about how this programme works head over to our Independent Travel Training
What can I spend my School Transport Mileage Rate on?
School Transport Mileage Rate is an allowance offered to families to cover the expenses of transporting their child to school themselves. It gives families the freedom and flexibility to arrange their own travel arrangements, which may work better around their personal needs.
