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Important changes to the LCC Home to School Transport Policy and the SEN Post-16 Transport Policy will take effect in September 2025.

These changes align Liverpool City Council policies with those of neighbouring local authorities and encourage active travel and greater independence for students.

They followed a full consultation held from Monday March 4, 2024, to Friday May 10, 2024. The proposed changes were approved by the Council’s Cabinet in July 2024.

Please read the new Home to School Transport Policy and SEN Post-16 Transport Policy Statement

If you have any enquiries relating to the policies, you can contact [email protected] or [email protected]

Key Points to Policy Changes

  • Discretionary free travel will be removed if parents/carers choose a school that is not the nearest suitable institution.
  • The minimum qualifying distance has increased from two to three miles for children aged eight and over.
  • Pupils in years 6, 10, and 11 who move home and fall outside the qualifying distance will not automatically receive travel support.
  • For students aged 16 and over, who are eligible for Sen Travel Support, if council-provided transport is the only option, there will be a ‘learner contribution’ of £680 per year. If families meet the low-income criteria, they will be eligible for a 50% discount.
  • All students transitioning from compulsory school age to Post 16 education, must reapply for SEN travel support, even if they are remaining in the same setting.

For full details, please visit https://liverpool.gov.uk/benefits/school-travel-support/

Support for Families and Students

Independent Travel Training

We provide specialist travel training for young people (up to age 18) with special educational needs or disabilities. It combines practical and classroom-based sessions to teach the skills needed for independent travel.

Please watch this video about the Travel Training Service.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oe9PE4_io2s

It includes young people sharing their experiences and an introduction from Reena Bhogal-Welsh, Director of Education & Inclusion and Kelly Carey Head of SEND and Inclusion:

Schools can make a referral by emailing: [email protected]

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