School Transport - Special Educational Needs

 

The majority of special educational needs can be met in your home locality school or your preferred, alternative mainstream school. In either case you are responsible for getting your child to and from school .

 

SEN Transport will only be agreed if the LEA determines that your child needs to attend a Special School or Unit outside your home locality, or if there are particular medical, physical or health reasons.

 

Very occasionally a child needs to attend a special school outside the County. If this is a residential school, the Authority either funds travel expenses or makes the travel arrangements at the beginning and end of term and half terms.

 

At least 14 days is required to set up or change a transport arrangement.

 

Special schools and special units of mainstream schools

Transport requirements are considered as part of the full assessment of a child's special educational needs. School transport is usually provided for children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs who are:

  • Attending a designated special school irrespective of distance criteria;
  • Attending a designated special unit/class in a mainstream school setting which is outside of a child's normal designated catchment area school, irrespective of distance criteria and
  • Attending a special unit/class in a mainstream school, which is within the designated catchment area of the child's home address but where it is more than 2 miles away from the parental home for primary aged children and 3 miles for a secondary age child. Distance will be measured by the nearest available route.  

If parents decline an offer of a placement at an appropriate school for their child's needs and prefer their child to attend an alternative appropriate school, parents assume responsibility for associated transport costs and arrangements to the preferred school. 

 

If your child qualifies for School transport provision, transport is is normally provided for by contract vehicle.

 

A copy of the councils school transport policy and code of good practice concerning special transportation is available to download below.

SEN School transport policy and code of good practice

 

Further information on School Transport Policy is also available.

 

Any complaints, comments or queries regarding the provision of special needs home to school transport should be submitted to: -

 

Administration Assistant Strategic Support

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

School Support Division

Civic Offices, Holton Road

Barry. CF63 4RU

 

Tel: (01446) 709114 / 709115

E-Mail: JRitter@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

 

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