Apply now for travel assistance for SEND children
Educational settings and parents in Telford and Wrekin that have young people with special educational needs and disabilities who require travel assistance for September 2020 are being told to apply now.
The council is planning for the scenario that children and young people will return to their educational setting in September – although it is still uncertain whether that will happen because of the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
There is only a need to reapply for travel assistance in instances where children are due to move to a new school in September or if they are moving to a new home address.
However eligible young people who are starting in a post 16 setting or continuing in a post 16 setting must reapply. This includes those staying at their current school and moving into Year 12.
This is because travel assistance does not automatically continue between academic years for any young person in post 16 education.
New travel assistance policies are in place and both these and the place to apply can be found at: https://www.telford.gov.uk/info/20466/travelling_to_school/10/home_to_school_transport/3
Applications for school age children need to be made by June 30 and for post 16 children by July 31.
Late applications will not necessarily be granted travel assistance for the start of the new school term.
Where children eligible for travel assistance are returning to school during the Summer Term, existing transport arrangement will require adaptation.
Strict social distancing requirements have been implemented on school transport and in some circumstances parents are taking their children to school by car.
Parents who are taking eligible children into school are able to claim for Personal Travel Expenses (PTE). This can be claimed from March 23 but is only paid on the days a child attended school.
To apply for a PTE or to discuss a young person’s transport requirements, contact the transport team directly on transport.contracts@telford.gov.uk
