Local Offer travel and transport

Being able to get around using suitable transport can make a big difference to a child or young person with additional needs.

Some children and young people may not be able to walk or use public transport to get from home to school, so they may be eligible for travel assistance if they meet certain criteria.

These are set out in Brent’s transport policy. There is an additional policy statement for students aged 16-19.

Find out more more about the council’s transport policy, free travel and travel grants for all pupils.

Note, some documents may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. Please send an email to sen.transport@brent.gov.uk to request accessible format of the above documents.

Types of travel assistance

Travel assistance can include things like:

• assisted travel on Brent’s Transport Service, on shared routes or taxis
• help with the cost of public transport or a mileage reimbursement 

Eligibility criteria for children with SEND

The transport policy sets out how decisions about whether a child or young person receives travel assistance are made. It includes details of the:

• eligibility criteria used
• things we take into account when assessing whether assistance is necessary

Travel assistance may be provided for children and young people with an EHC plan who cannot reasonably be expected to travel to school or college independently because of their needs, even if the journey is within the ‘statutory walking distance’ set out in the transport policy.

Children aged 5-16

Where a pupil has an EHC plan, a decision to grant transport assistance will be taken at the time the school placement is agreed.

Having an EHC plan does not necessarily mean we will provide travel assistance. The council does not have a duty to assist when parents have decided to send their child to a school that is farther away than the one we have deemed suitable to meet their child’s needs. In these cases, parents will need to make and fund their own travel arrangements.

Pre-school children

Parents or carers will normally be expected to transport their children to non-statutory provision. However, children aged two years or older who have been placed in a nursery school or children’s centre for the purpose of assessing their special educational needs, may be granted assistance with travel at the council’s discretion in exceptional circumstances.

Apply for travel assistance

Who to contact for help

If you have any questions about home to school travel assistance, need help filling in an assessment form or require an accessible version of the above form, email: sen.transport@brent.gov.uk or telephone 020 8937 6786.

Appealing a travel assistance decision

To appeal against a decision not to provide travel assistance email our Special Educational Needs 0-25 Team: sen.transport@brent.gov.uk The service will respond to your appeal within 20 working days.

There are a number of discount schemes and passes that children and young people with SEND may be eligible for. Most of these are provided by Transport for London (TfL).

• Disabled Persons Freedom Pass - gives users free travel on most public transport in London.
• Disabled Persons Railcard - offers one third off rail fares throughout Great Britain for those who are eligible.
• Zip Oyster - lets young people aged 11 to 15 travel for free or at discounted rates.
• Zip Oyster 16+ - free travel for young people in full-time education.
• 18+ Student Oyster photocard - offers discounted travel if you're aged 18 or over, a student, and living in a London borough.
• ‘Please offer me a seat’ badge - is a free badge and card system from TfL aimed at making journeys easier and more comfortable for people with impairments, conditions or illnesses.
• Dial-a-Ride - TfL's free door-to-door service for those with permanent or long-term disabilities.
• Taxicard - a scheme for London residents with serious mobility and sight impairments.

There are a range of schemes and assistance available to help make travel by car easier for children and young people with SEND.

Blue badge parking

This scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you, or your passenger, has a permanent disability that affects your ability to walk. This includes being able to park free of charge at a parking meter or pay-and-display bays.

Find out more about applying for or renewing a blue badge.

Disabled parking bays

It is possible to apply for a disabled person’s parking place to be marked on the public highway by a white painted box with a sign indicating that it is for the use of blue badge holders only.

Find out more about eligibility and applying for a disabled parking bay.

Motability

This scheme allows disabled people to use their government funded mobility allowance for the lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair.

Find out more about motability and eligibility for the scheme.

Help with the cost of driving

To help with the cost of driving you or your child may be entitled to help such as:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) which helps with mobility costs
• vehicle tax exemption or reduction.

Travelling can sometimes be scary and overwhelming for some children, especially if the trip involves a long journey, Preparing them as much as possible for where they are going, what is going to happen and what they will hear, see, feel, can sometimes make it easier.

You can do this by:

• describing the journey using photos, pictures and social stories
• establishing the rules for when you are out and about or before you go. For example, “We’re going to do the shopping, when we have finished you can have 1 lollipop.”
• engaging them in some activities involving deep pressure, working their muscles and giving their body more feedback (heavy work) so they feel calmer. This is especially useful just before or when you are on the way.

When you are out, watch out for warning signs that they are overwhelmed, upset, anxious, angry. You can prepare and try to calm these situations by:

• letting them wear ear defenders or headphones, a peaked hat, hood, weighted or tight-fitting clothes or a rucksack and weight it down (5- 10% of their body weight), can help them to feel calmer. (Remember to allow them to change when they get home as you do not want them to require these in places where they feel safe).
• moving them to a quiet, calm space if needed and if possible (Museums and large galleries in London often have quiet spaces available, ask where they are at the main desk when you arrive)
• engaging children in deep pressure and or heavy work activities for children who seek a lot of movement. For example, activities such as carrying heavy items in shopping baskets, pushing trolleys or buggies can tire the muscles and help some children feel calmer.

For children who become overwhelmed and refuse to walk and sits down in the middle of the pavement, it is important to:

• stay calm and try to wait it out so that they get up themselves
• be clear about why they need to walk and where they are going to
• be clear about how much longer (use a timer on your phone) they need to walk for
• give them a reason for getting up and walking e.g., a reward for when they arrive
• try not to force them or get angry.

It may also help to bring along snacks, activities and familiar items and toys such as fidget toys e.g., stress balls or tangle twists, to make them feel calmer.

Further information

Travel training in Brent for children and young people.