This information is for young people with SEND aged 16 to 25, especially those going to:
- College.
- Sixth form.
- Training.
- Other education after school.
What the law says
Local authorities (your council) must:
- Help young people with SEND go to school or college,
- Provide information about travel help,
- Make sure transport is good enough to let you take part in learning.
What happens after age 16?
When you leave school (after Year 11), your transport needs must be checked again, even if:
- You stay at the same place.
- You didn’t get transport help before.
This is the law!
EHCP and transport
If you have an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan):
- It says where you will go to learn (this is in Section I),
- But it does not guarantee free transport,
- Transport can be added to your EHCP only in exceptional cases,
- Your council must talk to your family about transport during the EHCP review.
What the council must include
Your local authority must:
- Write a transport policy explaining:
- Who can get help with travel,
- What kind of travel support is available,
- How to ask for it,
- If there's any cost or if it's free.
They must also explain this in their SEND Local Offer.
What if you need more time to learn?
Some young people with SEND may:
- Take longer to finish a course.
- Keep learning after age 19.
The council should keep helping with transport until your course ends.
Independent travel training
Some councils run travel training to help young people travel on their own safely.
This might include:
- Learning bus routes.
- Practising travel with support.
- Feeling confident to go on your own.
This should be part of the council’s transport policy.
Will I have to pay?
Good practice says:
- You should not be charged if you are under 19 and likely to get free transport later as an adult.
- Councils should try to make travel affordable and fair.
Remember
You have the right to education and training up to age 25.
- Ask your school, college or local council for help with transport.
- Look at your Local Offer for clear transport information
If you would like to apply for transport, you can contact your local authority or your local SENDIASS team for information how to do this.
