Home to School Travel Assistance

New Starters in September 2023

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, and a school place has been allocated by the Statutory SEN Service, you can apply now.

If your child does not have an Education, Health and Care Plan, please do not apply yet.  The Transport Coordination Service will contact you by 1 May 2023 to confirm if your child is eligible for travel assistance.  Any applications received before 1 May 2023 will not be considered until after this date.

Who is eligible?

You can apply for a school place for your child at any school, but your child may not necessarily be eligible for free travel assistance.

The eligibility criteria for free travel assistance is set out within Cornwall's Home to School Transport Policy - see links below.  We strongly recommend that you read this document before applying for a school place, and before applying for travel assistance.

• Home to School Transport Policy 2022/23
• Home to School Transport Policy 2023/24 (to be published soon)

If you are unsure if your child is eligible for free travel assistance, please contact us - see contact details below.

If your child is not eligible for free travel assistance, other travel schemes may be available. For further information, please visit our page on other transport schemes. 

How to apply?

You can apply for travel assistance using the link below.

Apply for Home to School Travel Assistance

Who will consider the application?

All applications are considered by the Council's Transport Coordination Service.

How quickly are applications considered?

Applications will be considered within 10 working days. We kindly ask that you do not contact the Transport Coordination Service for an update on your application unless this timescale has been exceeded. Unfortunately, no travel assistance can be provided for your child whilst your application is being considered.

Please note, if your child is eligible, it may take a further 10 working days for travel passes/arrangements to be confirmed.

What travel arrangements will be provided?

If eligible, travel assistance will be provided via the most cost-effective suitable method – see below.

• All children of primary school age will travel via taxi/minibus.
• Children of secondary school age, who attend a secondary school, ARB or APA, will travel on a school bus or via public transport.
• Children of secondary school age, who attend a special school in Cornwall, will travel via taxi/minibus.

Where the standard method of travel above is evidenced to be unsuitable, alternative travel arrangements will be provided.

Who can apply?

All parents/carers can apply for travel assistance themselves via the link above.

Alternatively, your child's school or any other professional working with you and/or your child can apply on your behalf. However, they must have your consent to do so.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan AND your child cannot share travel with other children AND/OR requires the support of a passenger assistant, the application should be submitted by: 

• The Statutory SEN Service - if your child has not yet started at the school
  Email statutorysen@cornwall.gov.uk / Telephone 0300 1234 111
• Your child's school - if your child has started at the school

Already receiving travel assistance but your circumstances have changed?

If your child is already receiving home to school travel assistance, but moves address or changes school, it is important that you notify the Transport Coordination Service.  

Should you wish to request that travel assistance be provided from your new address, or to your child’s new school, please reapply using the link above.