Appendix B - Discretionary transport assistance 2025 to 2026

Long term cases

Where pupils live within the statutory walking distance between home and their nearest suitable school and where a pupil is physically unable to walk to school, transport assistance will be provided. Up to date medical evidence will be needed that confirms that your child is unable to walk to school. Provision of transport will not usually be offered where a pupil does not attend their nearest school, unless the medical incapacity arises where the pupil is in Year 10 and Year 11 in secondary school or in Year 6 in primary school. Lancashire County Council will however consider cases in other year groups where there has been a significant change in circumstances relating to a child’s medical condition.

Assistance will normally take the form of public transport provision unless the pupil is physically unable to access public transport.

If the County Council determine that discretionary transport support is no longer required, parents can submit an appeal to the Independent Transport Appeals Committee if they consider it should continue, subject to a further officer review.

Short term cases (up to 12 weeks)

Short term taxi transport may be considered where a child has a short-term medical incapacity. Medical evidence will be sought to confirm that the pupil will not be able to access public transport. In these cases, the provision will normally be made for a maximum of 12 weeks. In these circumstances, the Council will consider the provision of transport even if the pupil is not attending their nearest school.

If transport is likely to be required in excess of twelve weeks, the case will be reviewed, the parents have the option of appeal to the Independent Transport Appeals Committee.

Looked After Children, those in the Care of the Local Authority

Pupils who are ‘Looked After’ by the County Council, who are placed in short term foster care and who do not meet the statutory criteria for transport assistance, will not be considered for transport assistance under this policy.

For eligibility for transport assistance for children looked after, the nearest suitable school would be that identified by the social worker.

Emergency transport arrangements

In cases where children have been temporarily re-housed due to unforeseen emergency circumstances, transport assistance may be considered to a school other than the nearest provided the distance criteria is met. Assistance would be offered on this basis where it was considered that a pupil would be unable to attend school without support from the County Council. Assistance will initially be provided up to a maximum of twelve weeks. Confirmation of the family circumstances will need to be provided by the local council or other agencies.

Transport assistance will normally take the form of provision on public transport unless the journey times exceed the County guidelines.

If transport is likely to be required in excess of twelve weeks, the case will be reviewed, the parents have the option of appeal to the Independent Transport Appeals Committee.

Managed moves and fair access protocol pupils

Pupils, who are admitted to schools under the fair access protocol, may receive assistance with transport costs if the distance criterion is met, irrespective of whether they are attending their nearest suitable school.

Transport assistance will only be provided for pupils subject to a 'managed move' if the family meets the low-income criteria.

Medical conditions affecting the parent/s

In exceptional circumstances where it is not possible due to the medical condition of one or both parents or carer to accompany a child to school and suitable arrangements cannot be made for a family member or friend to accompany a child to school, transport assistance will be considered. Assistance may be provided to ensure that the pupil travels to school safely and attends the school. Any such assistance is subject to satisfactory medical evidence being provided indicating the parental incapacity.

This assistance will only be provided for pupils who meet the low-income criteria, this might include instances where the pupil resides within the statutory walking distance or the pupil does not attend their nearest school.

If transport is likely to be required for longer than twelve weeks, the case will be reviewed, the parents have the option of appeal to the Independent Transport Appeals Committee.