Home to School Travel Assistance Policy

Home to School Travel Assistance Policy

1. Introduction

1. This policy document explains who can receive assistance with travel from home to school for children of compulsory school age (age 5-16). It explains how to apply for assistance (and how to appeal if you do not receive it), what type of help may be given, and which journeys we will help with. It also explains the standards we expect to provide, how we look after your children, and how to contact us when you need to. 

2. In general terms, it is the responsibility of the parent or carer to ensure that their child attends school regularly, under section 444 of the Education Act 1996 (as amended by the Education and Inspections Act 2006). This includes arranging necessary travel to and from the school and/or accompanying their child as necessary. No special consideration is given for parents or carers who are working or who have children travelling to several schools at the same time. In both cases, parents or carers are expected to make other suitable arrangements for someone else to accompany their child. This can include making suitable arrangements with employers so that this duty can be fulfilled. 

3. Under the Education Act 1996 (as amended), local authorities have a duty in certain circumstances to make such travel arrangements as they consider necessary to ensure that suitable home to school travel arrangements are made for the purpose of facilitating a child’s attendance at relevant educational establishments for children of compulsory school age. 

4. The Council’s vision:

“We are collectively ambitious for our children and young people. Together we want to provide them with the best chances to achieve their best outcomes in life, whatever their starting point, and to prepare them effectively for adulthood”.

5. To deliver this vision we want to provide services that support children and young people to prepare for adulthood, including access to education, employment opportunities, essential services and activities in the community. The ability to travel independently is an important skill which enables access to these services and one that is critical to their future.

6. This policy explains how we decide when to provide travel assistance, where we gather information from, and the timescales that we work to. It explains the sort of travel assistance we may provide, including Independent Travel Training, Personal Travel Budgets as well as support for children with complex needs who may require an additional adult to travel with them.  It also explains the review process if we decide you are not eligible for help with travel assistance, and your rights to appeal. 

7. This policy is based on the national statutory guidance - Travel to School for Children of Compulsory School Age [External Link]. 

8. Cognus is a non-profit making Local Authority Company wholly owned by the London Borough of Sutton - ‘the Council’. Cognus provides education support services in the Borough - including Assisted Travel services. The Home to School Travel Assistance Policy and budget is set by the Council and administered by Cognus on the Council’s behalf. The Council and Cognus should be considered as synonymous for the purposes of this policy.

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