SEN Transport Update
4th September 2024
Rotherham Parent Carers Forum recently sent out a poll to families regarding SEN transport. This was a result of feedback from parent carers who were concerned about the lack of communication from the transport team, which resulted in uncertainty.
Our Voice and Influence team contacted Transport, who quickly came back to us wanting to work with us to ease the anxiety of families. They have reassured us that they are quickly working through any backlog and will contact families as quickly as possible. Any families who have had to transport their young person in the first few days back who would qualify for transport can request a reimbursement, and we have been reassured this will be processed as simply and quickly as possible.
The transport team also advised us that there have been some teething issues due to policy changes. Below is the update that was sent to schools at the end of June and should have been communicated with families. Any young person who is changing provision or reaches the age of 16 will need to reapply for transport via the details below.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Claire on 01709 249951. She will be happy to discuss them.
The communication sent to schools is below:
Important information regarding home-to-school/college transport applications for SEND/Zoom Zero Travel Passes for eligible children and young people – September 2024
Introduction of Transport Solution Application Windows
Transport Services team would like to notify all parents/carers and educational establishments that the revised Home to School Transport Policy 2024/2025 has been approved by Cabinet and is now published online.
Educational placements are currently being agreed and confirmed for children and young people for September 2024, and the Local Authority would like to invite parents/carers who will need assistance with their child/young person’s transport arrangements to make an application for a travel solution as soon as possible.
As a reminder to parents, carers, educational establishments and other support agencies, during none-peak times there is a requirement of 28 days from receipt of each application for an individual assessment to be made and offer of a travel solution to be established for each eligible child/young person.
Every year, the Local Authority receive a considerably high demand of transport assistance application forms, with a peak in volume during May – August each year. To allow sufficient time for individual assessments to be undertaken and to ensure that a travel solution can be offered in readiness for the new school year, a requirement for a widow of transport application forms will need to be established. Unfortunately, this means that any transport requests received outside of each window will not be able to be processed until the new academic year, and alternative travel arrangements will need to be made in the meantime.
These deadlines do not affect entitlement to a travel solution for eligible children and young people, and a travel solution offer will be discussed once the Local Authority have had the opportunity to confirm eligibility. Where parents/carers have made an application for a travel solution after these deadlines, they may be entitled to receive a reimbursement towards the fuel cost of any journeys undertaken to travel to/from their educational establishment once eligibility of entitlement has been confirmed.
Transport applications will be considered in date order up to and including each of the deadlines below and travel solutions will be offered during August 2024 to allow families to be informed of arrangements and where necessary, undertake any required home visits and risk assessments. This will also allow sufficient time to prepare the child/young person for any new arrangements.
There may be an opportunity for the Local Authority to consider transport requests for any new placements agreed at SEND Panel up to and including the 28th of July 2024, but unfortunately these may only be considered if there is an urgency for a travel solution which requires immediate attention.
The transport application windows are all now open. Each application window close date is provided below:
Zoom Zero Travel Passes – 30th June 2024 (as previous years)
SEND assisted transport, compulsory school age (5-16) – Friday 12th July 2024.
None compulsory school age (Further education/school 6th form) 30th June 2024. For children and young people attending college, transport will not be provided for the first week of the new school term and only where a confirmed time table has been received.
To access all the Local Authority home to school transport application forms please visit the Travel Section of Rotherham SENDLocal offer: Rotherham SEND Local Offer – Here you will find help, advice and information about the services available for your child or young person from birth to 25 years with a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND). Or scan the QR code below.
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