New Home to School Transport Policy
In January 2018, Warwickshire County Council adopted a new Home to School Transport Policy following public consultation.
Changes from September 2018 (this calendar year)
Passenger Assistants
From September 2018 the Council will begin implementing the element of its revised home to school transport policy regarding passenger assistants. The new policy states that passenger assistants will only be provided for children with EHC plan. This is non-statutory requirement. This change will be conducted in a phased manner. Schools and parents affected by the change will be contacted regarding new arrangements.
Changes from September 2019 (next calendar year)
Nearest qualifying school
At the moment, a pupil’s nearest qualifying school is defined by Warwickshire County Council to mean their priority school or one which is physically closer. This definition is now changing to the pupil’s closest school to home with a space available for the pupil by the shortest available route. This may not be the priority school but will be the one physically closest to the student’s home address. Low income families would continue to benefit from extended rights eligibility criteria. This change is effective to new applicants for transport from September 2019. However, if a pupil’s situation changes (i.e. a change of address or school) and they apply on or after 1 September 2019, the application will be assessed under the new criteria.
Children with EHC plans
School age children with EHC plans who live within ‘statutory walking distance’ will not receive transport assistance unless the pupil is both attending the nearest suitable school with a place available and the pupil has special educational needs, disabilities and/or mobility issues which mean they would not be able to make the journey without transport assistance. The latter will be criteria will be identified following assessment. This change will be effective from September 2019.
Further information