Travel assistance for pupils with statements of special educational needs

The Travel Co-ordination Unit is responsible for the facilitation of appropriate Home to School travel solutions for children and young people of Manchester with Special Educational or complex medical needs.

Once an application form is received the Travel Review team will assess the information provided and make an initial decision based on Manchester City Council Policy which in turn is drawn from current government legislation. This may involve a visit to the applicant's house in order to gain more detailed information.

If the child or young person is agreed to be eligible then the most appropriate Travel Solution will be discussed and agreed. This may range from a walking bus, to escorted public transport, Independent Travel Training right through to a seat on a minibus/specialist vehicle. In some cases the solution may be a Taxi or Private Hire Vehicle; however this is very much dependent upon the individual circumstances.

The approved application is then handed to the Logistics Team who will agree the most appropriate provider and start time along with the best route available for the child or young person.

It may be that a Passenger Assistant is required and the Travel Co-ordination Unit also manage and have responsibility for training a pool of nearly 300. The provision of a Passenger Assistant is dependent upon the individual circumstances of the child or young person and the vehicle they will be travelling on.

Travel Co-ordination Unit also carries out wheelchair assessments in order to determine the most appropriate method of restraining the chair during transport in order to ensure the passengers safety.

Travel Co-ordination Unit looks after around 1100 children and young people every day taking them to school or college using over 250 routes and Travel Solutions.

• The policy for applications and the service standards
• Home to School Travel Policy

If you feel that a child in your care may be eligible for help with travel to school or college, you can download the relevant form:

• Travel Assistance for students with special needs attending schools
• Travel Assistance for students with special needs attending college

and return it to:
The Travel Co-ordination Unit
1st Floor Universal Square
Devonshire Street North
Ardwick
Manchester
M12 6JH

If you would like more information contact the Travel Co-ordination Unit on 0161 219 6400

They will be able to talk you through completing the application form and can discuss whether a child in your care may be entitled to help.