We’re delighted to announce that our award-winning, nationally recognised Independent Travel Training (ITT) service is now up and running! A team of Travel Buddies are supporting children and young people on a 1:1 basis, helping to equip them with the skills and confidence they need to become safe independent travellers on their journeys to and from school or college. Training is individualised to meet the needs of the young person and tends to take place over a few weeks, with the Buddy’s support gradually reducing at a pace suitable to their trainee as their confidence increases.
Children and young people qualify for ITT if they’re eligible for support with home to school travel arrangements. If your child currently accesses school transport you are welcome to refer them for travel training by emailing us at ittleeds@leeds.gov.uk and one of the team will be in touch. If you child is moving to a new setting in September and they’re interested in making their own way there, but need some support to achieve this, you can request an application form from Children’s Transport at send.transportapplications@leeds.gov.uk
If you are considering a new school or college place for your child, please consider travel implications when choosing. For details of transport assistance eligibility criteria, please see Leeds Children's Services transport policy
If your child will be starting school for the first time or moving to a new secondary setting in September, it is important to think about how they will get to the school you prefer. Some children with SEND are entitled to travel support.
If your child is assessed as eligible and needs to be transported to school by the council, this will be in a shared minibus wherever possible. Depending on the distance to your chosen school, and the number of children sharing the bus, journeys could take up to 75 minutes. Alternatively, you may request a mileage allowance (50p per mile for two return trips per day). If there is a suitable school nearer to your home than the one you have chosen, you will need to contribute towards our additional costs at the rate of 50p per mile.
If you wish to speak to Children’s Transport about eligibility for assistance with transport, please email send.transportapplications@leeds.gov.uk
Visit www.leeds.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-transport for information about the different types of support available.
The government has published a handy quick guide about school transport here: Free school transport explained: From who’s eligible to how it works Please have a read for more information about home-to-school transport.