Article: Special educational needs home to school transport Article Body If your child is unable to walk to school because of their special educational needs, disability or mobility problem, he/she may be entitled to free travel between home and school. For further advice please refer to the Home to School Transport - Information and Advice for Parents 2011-12. How to apply for free transport for your child If you wish to apply for home to school transport for your child you will need to complete the special needs transport application form (ST SEN) . This should be submitted either by post to the school transport section at the address given below or by email to: schooltransport@barnsley.gov.uk. Your application will then be considered by the Special Needs Transport Panel and the decision will be notified to you in writing. If your child qualifies for free travel, you will need to inform the School Transport Team of all relevant information regarding your child's travel needs. Once this has been received, we will arrange to commence transport at the earliest opportunity and will write to you to tell you who the transport provider and escort will be (where applicable). Free travel will usually be provided by way of a taxi or mini bus, often a door to door service with an escort. In some cases it may be appropriate to reimburse travel expenses for parents to transport their own child to and from school. This would be at the discretion of the School Transport section. There may also be a case for providing a free travel pass for a child to travel to school on public transport if this was considered appropriate for their individual need. Either way, you would be notified of the travel arrangements made for your child in writing by the School Transport section. If the Special Needs Transport Panel refuses transport for your child you have the right to have the case reviewed. Please see the link to the Transport Review and Appeals Procedure. Legislation There is no legislation specific to special needs transport; however the Department for Children, Schools and Families does publish good practice guidance. See related links below. Key documents special needs transport application form (ST SEN) Transport Review and Appeals Procedure Transport Notice of Review/Appeal Form Code of Practice for Special Needs Transport Home to School Transport - Information and Advice for Parents 2011-12 Home to School Transport Policy 2011-2012 Related links Teachernet - special educational needs and transport Direct.gov - school transport School travel plans School travel strategy Sustainable school travel How to contact us School Transport Manager School Transport Section Directorate for Children, Young People and Families Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG Telephone: 01226 773584/773590 Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm and Fridays from 8.30am to 4.30pm. There is an answerphone facility in operation outside these hours. Fax: 01226 774504 Email: schooltransport@barnsley.gov.uk