Special Educational Needs Transport

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs with Transport as an identified provision he/she will be entitled to free travel between home and the school named in the Statement.

How to access free transport for your child

If your child qualifies for free travel this will usually be provided by way of a taxi or mini bus, often a door to door service with a dedicated escort.

This service is set up automatically upon approval of a Statement of Special Educational Needs and when an agreed start date is notified to the school transport staff.

You would be notified of the travel arrangements made for your child by letter from the School Transport Team.

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 Manager.

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.

Helplines

Education School Transport Team: 01226 773584 or 773590

Opening Times/ Locations

School Transport, Education Service, Berneslai Close, Barnsley S70 2HS

Office opening times: 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Fridays

How the customer can help

If your child is entitled to free travel you should let the school transport staff have all relevant information relating to their travel needs and all appropriate contact numbers.

If your child has free travel to and from school you will need to inform us if you are intending to move house as this may mean a change to your existing travel arrangements.

Application form references

You do not need to complete an application form for special needs transport.

Leaflets

The Code of Practice for Special Needs Transport booklet is issued with correspondence sent to you at the time that transport is set up for your child.

Further copies of this may be obtained from the School Transport Team.

Legislation

There is no legislation specific to special needs transport; however the Department for Education and Skills does publish good practice guidance to Local Authorities.

Response Times / Next Steps

Upon receipt of all relevant information regarding your child's travel needs the School Transport Team will arrange to commence transport at the earliest opportunity.

When you receive the correspondence from the School Transport Team informing you of your child's travel arrangements you will be required to contact the relevant contractor or escort to determine the collection and arrival times at your home.

Out of Hours Procedure

If you contact us by telephone out of office hours there are message taking facilities which ensure that your call will be returned.

Alternatively you may contact us by email or fax which will also ensure a speedy response.

Owner Officer Contact Details

School Transport Manager
Telephone:  01226 773584/773590
Fax: 01226 774504
Email: schooltransport@barnsley.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I encounter any problems with the transport service provided for my child?

You should report any problems directly to the school transport team who will resolve them on your behalf.

My child periodically goes into respite care at Keresforth or Summerwell Centres. What happens to his/her travel arrangements during these periods?

Transport will continue to be provided to and from the respite care centre. This may be by diverting the existing transport that your child uses to and from school or by transferring him/her onto another vehicle.