SEND - Local offer

Each year the LA publishes the Transport Policy (a requirement by Education Act 1996) which sets out what support is available from the council and other bodies, to help young people aged 16-18 (and possibly older) to attend their placement.

The LA itself does not generally consider that it is necessary to provide transport or travel assistance for those in Post 16 education. However, it does offer some assistance for young people aged 16-18 (and older in some cases) who have an Education, Health and Care Plan or have a disability or have learning difficulties.

For learners aged 16-18 with learning difficulties and disabilities the minimum criteria to be eligible for travel support from Telford and Wrekin Council are as follows: 

• You must be a resident of Telford and Wrekin 
• You must be aged 16-18 years, or have started the relevant course before you turned 19 and are continuing to attend it 
• You must have an Education, Health and Care Plan or have a disability or have learning difficulties, as evidenced by an independent party assessment 
• You must have applied for where available, a bursary or other appropriate funding from your education or training setting and that application must have been refused. Evidence of this will be required. 

We may offer assistance if the student – 

• Has no other means of being transported by family or friends (work commitments and other children may not be an acceptable reason) 
• Is continuing a course begun before their 19th birthday (see definition below) 
• Is a full time student (16 hours or more timetabled sessions per week) – the course can be at entry level or at level 1, 2, or 3. 
• Has an Education, Health and Care plan and is unable to walk or use public transport (even when accompanied) due to their learning difficulty or disability 
• Is studying a course that is funded by Telford and Wrekin Council or the Education Skills Funding Agency (travel assistance is not given to students paying fees for their tuition, or studying as part of a paid apprenticeship) 
• Is studying at the nearest suitable school, college or Local Authority funded training provider offering the course as specified by the Local Authority and named in the Education, Health and Care Plan. When considering if a course is suitable, we take into account the end qualification awarded (not the individual subjects taken), the training provider having a place available to offer on that course, and that the students meet the entry requirements demanded by the training provider. 

Students who meet the eligibility requirements will be provided with travel assistance most appropriate to their needs (as determined by Telford and Wrekin Council)

For more information you can find the Transport Policy here

It may be possible to apply for Financial Assistance directly through the organisation providing the placement. Further details about these schemes can be requested directly from the college/setting. 

There is also government guidance available here

To contact the Transport Team:
Phone: 01952 384620
Email: transport.contracts@telford.gov.uk