Further support
First, we recommend you apply for a travel pass from TfGM.
For pupils who have difficulty using public transport, you can also try Ring and Ride.
If a pupil needs more support
For eligible pupils who need more help to travel to and from educational settings, the support we can provide will depend on:
- their age
- their needs
- the school they attend
The support we provide could include any of the following.
Independent travel training
We may offer independent travel training to children and young people aged 11 and up.
This is a one-to-one individualised programme that provides children and young people with the skills and confidence to be able to travel independently and safely.
Find out more about independent travel training.
Personal travel budgets
We may provide a personal travel budget to parents or carers of children with special educational needs (SEN) if they need support with their travel arrangements.
Find out more about personal travel budgets.
Contracted coaches, minibuses, taxis and private hire cars
We may arrange specialised transport (for example, specially fitted buses) using local coach, minibus, taxi or private hire operators if:
- a child’s needs mean that additional support is needed
- there's no suitable public transport service available
All home to school transport contractors have to meet the relevant operator, driver and vehicle licensing requirements. This includes a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for staff.
Eligibility
We have a responsibility to make transport arrangements for all children who cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school because of:
- their mobility problems
- health and safety issues related to their special educational needs (SEN) or disability
We consider each request for travel support on an individual basis. Things that we consider include:
- whether the child could reasonably be expected to walk if accompanied
- whether the child’s parent or carer can reasonably be expected to accompany the child
- the age of the child and whether or not it would be expected for a child of that age to be accompanied
The general expectation is that a child will be accompanied by a parent or carer where necessary, unless there is a good reason why it is not reasonable to expect this.
We promote and ensure equality of opportunity for disabled parents. For example, if a parent’s disability prevents them from accompanying their child along a walking route that would otherwise be considered unsafe without adult supervision, a reasonable adjustment might be to provide free home to school transport for the child.
How to apply
Once your child's school place has been confirmed, you can apply for travel support using our application form. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible to allow time for the Travel Co-ordination team to plan the most appropriate transport options.
Email your completed application form to travelcoordination@stockport.gov.uk.
Once we've received your application
Once we've received your application form, it'll be processed and we'll contact you with the outcome. Depending on the needs of the student and the travel support option that has been agreed, it can take up to 30 days for travel support to start.
We aim to have all transport arrangements for the start of the new school year in September finalised before the summer holidays. For applications received after the start of the summer holidays, we cannot guarantee travel support for September.
More information
For more information about travel support we provide, you can read our Special Educational Needs (SEN) Education Travel Policy.
Contact us
If you have any questions, you can contact the Travel Co-ordination service:
- email travelcoordination@stockport.gov.uk
- call: 0161 474 2504
- write to:
Travel Co-ordination Service
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Special Educational Needs Section
c/o The Scanning and Support Team
Lower Ground Floor, Stopford House
Town Hall
Stockport
SK1 3XE