Travel assistance for young people over 16 with SEND

If your application is successful, we will provide you with travel assistance to your school or college.

Travel assistance is only available: 

• for one inward and one outward journey to and from school or college at the beginning and end of the day. This may not be according to the start and finish of the timetable day
• between the same pick up and drop off points each day. The parent or carer will have to organise and pay for journeys outside of this arrangement 

If you move out of the Dorset Council area during your course, you must apply to your new council for assistance.

Travel assistance is free if you are aged 19 and over and we agree that you are required to remain in education.

If you are under the age of 19 must pay a contribution towards your travel assistance. This includes students with an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

The travel cost for September 2023 to July 2024 is £860 a year for students under the age of 19.

The travel cost for September 2024 to July 2025 is £900 a year for students under the age of 19.

You may qualify for a half price fee if you are a Dorset resident and meet the following criteria.

You must:

• live in the Dorset Council area; this applies even if you are attending a school or sixth form in another authority
• be under 19 on 31 August immediately before the start of the academic year or under 25 for those with an education, health and care plan
• live over 5 miles from your nearest or most appropriate school or sixth form
• be in full time education (16 hours or more over 3 or more days a week)
• receive one of the following benefits as a family or individual:
  • maximum level of Working Tax Credit
  • income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit, and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
  • Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for 4 weeks after you no longer qualify for Working Tax Credit
  • Universal Credit
• or have a compelling medical circumstance before the age of 16 which meant you had travel assistance and have a case for it to continue. You must also give evidence with your application from an appropriate Medical Officer. See the post 16 transport policy for full details.

How to pay

We will contact you via post with details on how to make payment after we process your application. We will offer you the chance to pay in one lump sum or instalments. You can pay by Direct Debit.

If you do not keep up to date with payments, we may withdraw your travel assistance.

Refunds

You can request a refund if your circumstances have changed, for example, if you have moved house. Please contact the SEND Travel Team if you would like to discuss this.

Find out your options if you do not qualify for post 16 SEND travel assistance.

You can appeal in writing if your application for travel assistance was unsuccessful and refused.

Complete the post 16 transport appeal form and return it to us, as directed in the form. Make sure you include all related information and documentation on your form.

You can only make one appeal per academic year, unless there is a big change to your circumstances.