Trafford Council
All Age Travel Assistance Policy
November 2015 – Final Version for consultation
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Contents:
1. Introduction
2. The Council’s responsibilities to provide travel assistance
3. Travel assistance solutions
4. Charging - When will the council ask for a contribution to provide social transport
5. What standards can those being transported and their parent/ carers expect
6. How and when to apply for travel assistance
7. How to appeal a decision
8. How to compliment/complain about the standards received
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1. Introduction
This document sets out Trafford Council’s Policy on travel assistance for: Children of compulsory school age (aged between 5 and 16 years) with their travel from home to
school or place of learning;
 Persons of sixth form age (aged between 16 to 18 and those continuing learners who started their
programme of learning before their 19th birthday) to aid their attendance at school, college or
place of learning;
 Adult learners which includes those post 19 years for Education, Training and adults accessing care
and support services
This policy applies to children, young people and adults resident in the borough of Trafford and is aimed at
setting out the Council’s policy as well as promoting their maximum possible independence in a consistent
and equitable way.
This policy details the travel arrangements and financial assistance that Trafford Council considers it
necessary in order to comply with its statutory duties contained in relevant legislation. Outside of Trafford
Council’s statutory responsibilities, where possible, there is an expectation that families, young people and
adults will meet their own needs for transport to access schools, colleges and support services.
The Department of Works and Pensions include in their financial assessment for people with disabilities,
the opportunity for people to claim Disability Living Allowance (under 16s and 65+) and PIP for those aged
16-64 years. This is to assist with costs towards enabling their mobility. The benefits that people receive for
this purpose are expected to be used to help them access care and educational services that are part of
meeting their needs. Trafford Council will consider any such benefits a person receives when considering
whether travel assistance will be provided.
This policy will be reviewed annually.
2. The Council’s responsibilities to provide travel assistance
2.1 Children of compulsory school age 5-16 years
The Education Act 1996 sets out the statutory requirements that all councils must comply with. The Council
has a duty to make travel arrangements as it consider necessary to facilitate attendance at a qualifying
school for ‘eligible children’. This duty applies to travel assistance at the start of and at the end of the day.
It does not relate to travel between educational institutions during the school day. Where a child is
considered ‘eligible’ for transport the Council the transport or travel assistance must be provided free of
charge.
An eligible child for travel assistance is:
a) Of compulsory school age and
b) Attending nearest qualifying school and
c) There is no other suitable home to educational establishment transport arrangement already in place
and
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belongs to one of the categories below:
 Children with special educational needs, disability or mobility problems
 The route from home to school is a hazardous route that the child could not be reasonably
expected to take, accompanied by an adult
 Children living more than 2 miles (under 8) from school
 Children living more than 3 miles from school (over 8)
 Excluded children – the child has been excluded and the school they are obliged to attend exceeds
the distance criteria
 The child is from a low income family/ entitled to free school meals, and/ or whose family is in
receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit
The Council does not provide transport support during the school day. Children attending a dual placement
(where a child attends more than one school) may require additional travel assistance e.g. lunchtimes.
Such arrangements should be made between the schools concerned. Where this happens, transport
arrangements will not be provided by the Council.
Similarly, pupils based full-time at one school may visit another school for integration purposes. Where this
happens, transport arrangements should be made between the schools.
Eligible children will receive transport support for residential placements as follows:
 Weekly residential placement - Travel arrangements will be made to school on Monday and from
school on Friday each week.
 Termly residential placement - Transport will be provided at the beginning and end of each term
and mid-term holiday.
 Pupils requiring a 52 week placement - The Local Authority will make travel arrangements up to a
maximum of three return journeys per year.
Local Authorities are not required to provide supported travel for pupils placed with foster carers. Foster
carers are expected to fund home to school transport for the children they look after from their carer’s
allowance regardless of the child’s special educational needs and disability.
Parents have a legal duty - to ensure that their children of compulsory school age, who are registered at a
school, attend regularly. As such, any travel arrangements are an important consideration when choosing a
school. Parental responsibilities for children and young people attending special schools and other
provision are the same as those for children without Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND). A
parent of a child who receives the enhanced /higher rate of the mobility component of PIPS/ Disability
Living Allowance (DLA) will be expected to use this allowance to transport their child to school. If they do
so AND are eligible for travel assistance, they will be able to claim from the council, via the Trafford Travel
Coordination Unit (TTCU), the current HM Revenue and Customs mileage rate. Parental working
commitments and family circumstance will not normally be considered as part of the decision to award
travel assistance.
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2.1.1 What is a qualifying school?
There are a number of educational establishments that are mentioned within The Education Act 1996 as a
‘qualifying school’. In Trafford those most pertinent to this policy are:
 community, foundation or voluntary schools;
 community or foundation special schools;
 non-maintained special schools;
 pupil referral units;
 city technology colleges (CTC), city colleges for the technology of the arts (CCTA); or Academies.
For a child with special educational needs, the school named on their Education Health and Care (EHC) Plan
will be their qualifying school. This can also include an independent school, resource units within
mainstream settings or a residential school.
Travel assistance will not be provided where a parent has requested that a school is named within their
child’s Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, that is not the nearest available school able to meet their
child’s needs as deemed by the Council.
The ‘nearest qualifying school’ is the nearest qualifying school with places available. If parents choose a
school that is not the nearest qualifying school, travel assistance will not be provided unless a specialist
provision is stated within the EHC plan. This includes preferences for parents to send their children to the
schools below:
 Pupils attending a denominational school based on religious beliefs
 Pupils attending a grammar school
 Pupils attending a single sex school
2.1.2 Is there a distance criteria used to award travel assistance?
Guidance is issued via The Education Act 1996 to local authorities for when travel assistance might be
provided and Trafford Council have adopted this as part of, but not exclusively, the eligibility criteria when
approving travel assistance. The guidance is as follows:
 Children aged under 8 and who live more than 2 miles away from their nearest qualifying school
 Children aged over 8 and live more than 3 miles away from their nearest qualifying school
Walking distance is measured from the pupil’s home to the main entrance of the qualifying school, by way
of the shortest walking route. In order to ensure consistency and fairness the measurement is calculated
through the use of various GIS systems, as appropriate and is strictly applied.
Where transport has been agreed as the travel assistance option the home address will be used as the pick
up/ drop off point. Where an alternative address is requested by a parent/ carer, the decision rests with
the TTCU. In all cases, only a maximum of one other address will be considered AND the alternative
address should not be further in distance than the person’s home to school.
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The distance may include footpaths, bridleways, and other pathways as well as recognised roads. An
assessment of the route will be made by the TTCU to determine the risks and whether any potential risks
might be mitigated.
2.1.3 Travel Assistance for pupils from low income families
Children from low income families are those who are entitled to free school meals, and/or those whose
families are in receipt of their maximum level of Working Tax Credit (WTC).
Where a parent is applying for travel assistance on the grounds of being in receipt of Working Tax Credit, a
copy of the awards notice, showing the maximum level will need to be provided.
In line with legislation, children aged 11 to 16 from a low income family, who attend a denominational
school on the grounds of their parent’s religion or belief, will be entitled to travel assistance where they
live between 2 and 15 miles from that school. Although there is no statutory duty to support primary
school aged children to attend a denominational school, the Council will adopt the same distance criteria
as for secondary children where the child is from a low income family.
2.2 Persons of sixth form age
This section relates to young people of sixth form age that are over compulsory school age but under the
age of 19 when they began an educational or training course. Local Authorities do not have a legal duty to
provide travel assistance for mainstream students but for persons of sixth form age with special education
needs and disabilities (SEND), they have a discretionary power to determine what travel assistance and
provision is necessary to facilitate a young person’s participation in education / training. In determining
what travel assistance to provide, the Council is required to take into account the following:
 the needs of those for whom it would not be reasonably practicable to attend a particular
establishment to receive education or training if no arrangements were made
 the need to ensure that young people in the area have reasonable opportunities to choose
between different establishments at which education and training is provided
 distance from the student’s home to establishments of education and training
 journey time to access different establishments
 the cost of travel assistance to the establishment in question
 alternative means of facilitating attendance at establishments
In exercising the Council’s discretion to provide travel assistance for those young people with SEND, even
with an EHC plan, any such provision does not have to be free of charge and Trafford Council reserve the
right to charge when providing a service. Details of charges are set out further in the policy.
The Education Act 1996 requires the school transport policy statement to expressly set out the
arrangements for facilitating the attendance at educational establishments of disabled persons and
persons with learning difficulties. This is aimed at informing young people in years 11, 12 and 13 and their
parents about what transport arrangements and support are available locally. Trafford Council’s 16-19
statement is dispensed via sections 2.2 and 3 and will be updated on an annual basis. Any changes made
to the travel assistance policy will be communicated to key stakeholders via a dedicated meeting.
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From June 2015, young people have been required to stay in education or training until their 18th birthday.
To support the raising of the participation age local authorities have responsibility for promoting the
effective participation in education and training of young people who are subject to the duty to participate.
2.2.1 Support to persons of sixth form age from educational establishments
Discretionary support funds may be available in colleges and schools to help students who are most in
need to help with the costs of learning. To be eligible you must:
 be 16 or over
 have been accepted onto and be studying a programme of learning funded by the Young People's
Learning Agency
Colleges determine priority groups and the maximum amounts they award. Common priority groups are:
 students who are economically disadvantaged (such as those on a low income or receiving
benefits)
 those aged over 19 who don't have a Level 2 qualification
 students who have been in care or on probation, young parents and others considered 'at risk'
2.3 Adults
2.3.1 Adult learners
The Council will make such arrangements for the provision of travel assistance as it considers necessary, or
as the Secretary of State may direct for:
Adult learners who are receiving education at an institution maintained or assisted by the authority and
providing further or higher education or within the further education sector.
Relevant young learners who are aged between 19 and 25 who have a learning difficulty assessment and
are receiving education or training at institutions, outside both the further and education sectors, where
the authority has secured, for the adult, the provision of education or training at the institution and the
provision of boarding accommodation.
Access to travel assistance will be individually reviewed on an annual basis.
2.3.2 18+ years old and accessing Social Care services
The Care Act 2014 along with the new National Eligibility Framework for social care has replaced various
legislation/ policies such as:
 Section 29 of the National Assistance Act 1948
 Section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person Act 1970
 Adult Social care Fair Access to Care (FACS) 2010
 NHS & Community Care Act 1990 and Department of Health ‘Prioritising need in the context of
Putting People First: A whole system approach to eligibility for social care’ 2010.
This applies to the following:
 Who have an assessed eligible social care need to access valued occupation or activity
 Are aged over 18 and not in fulltime education
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
Are ordinarily resident in Trafford
The Care Act 2014 is underpinned by the principle that local authorities must promote an individual’s
wellbeing under a number of areas, those pertinent to this policy relates to facilitating participation in
work, education, training or recreation.
There is no statutory duty to provide transport to adults but Trafford Council will make an assessment
based on individual’s needs. In relation to travel assistance factors that will be considered include:
 The extent to which the applicant can travel independently (including own transport; any vehicle
purchased under the Motability scheme; public transport; walking with or without support; or via
any other independent or naturally supported means
 Ability to travel independently and re-ablement options such as independent travel training
 Whether the applicant is able to access transport provided by others (family, friends, paid carer,
support worker)
 Whether they are accessing the nearest service to meet their needs
 The applicant’s disability, frailty or physical health
 Risk to self and others
People will be expected to access services that meet their needs close to where they live. Where it is
assessed that a local service can meet a person’s needs, support to travel will only be provided up to this
distance and will only be provided if independent travel and public transport have been tested and agreed
not to be appropriate.
If people can travel independently for example by; walking, using public transport with help from other
people, using assisted mobility (Assisted mobility is where a person is supported to travel with an aide,
adaptation, mobility allowance or mobility vehicle) then they will be expected to do so.
Where enablement / travel training is offered as part of the assessment this process must be completed
before a final decision is made on whether the person requires support to travel to be provided by the
local authority. Where it is offered, failure on behalf of the service user to undertake the enablement /
travel training element of the assessment will bring about the end to the overall assessment process and
no support to travel will be provided.
If the person has access to Personal Independence Payment Mobility component (PIP mobility component)
or Disability Living Allowance (DLA Mobility Component) or mobility vehicle (or the potential to access a
vehicle via their PIP or DLA Mobility component) it is then expected that they will use the allowance or
vehicle to get to services or places of education. Use of the mobility vehicle by other family members will
not change this expectation.
Access to travel assistance will be individually reviewed, along with other elements of the care package at
least annually.
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3. Travel Assistance Solutions
The Council will consider all travel assistance options available to the applicant when deciding what it will
offer. Where travel assistance has been agreed it will be provided in a safe and cost effective manner
taking account of the person’s specific needs and with regard to the best use of the Council’s resources. All
information about the needs of the individual will be shared including identified risk, management plans
etc.
Examples of travel assistance that an applicant might be able to access are as follows:
Escorted public transport - It may be possible for someone using their free pass to travel on public
transport if they have some assistance. The Council may provide a Travel Assistant to accompany the
eligible person and help build a level of independence over time.
Home pick up and drop off – Some that are eligible for travel assistance will not be able to access a pick up
point. Those who have significant or complex needs may be provided with transport from home and
returned there.
Independent Payment (Mobility Component):
Independent Travel Training - Independent travel training which can result in a skill for life focuses on
enabling people to travel independently to and from school and other social activities. It is available to
those who are eligible for travel assistance, living in Trafford and in year 8 and above. Where independent
travel training is offered the process will begin with an initial assessment of the person’s skills and abilities.
The training provided will be targeted to individual needs and development. Where independent travel
training is offered, this will be the Council’s offer in providing travel assistance and no other travel
assistance will be given.
Pick up points – Those eligible for travel assistance may be expected to access a pick up point to meet their
transport provision. The decision to allocate a pick up point will be dependent upon the individual needs of
the applicant.
Provision of Passenger Assistants on Council commissioned transport - A Passenger Assistant may be
provided to accompany eligible travellers on transport commissioned by the Council. Passenger Assistant’s
will only be provided where they are necessary for the safe operation of vehicles and/or the care of the
passengers.
Reimbursement of mileage costs - Providing a child is eligible for travel assistance, parents/carers may be
able to claim, from the Trafford Transport Coordination Unit (TTCU). a mileage allowance in lieu of the
Council offering Travel Assistance at the HM Revenue and Customs rate of 45p per mile.
Other travel options that the Council will take into consideration when a person applies for travel
assistance are access to the following:
Concessionary Passes
Disabled people may be eligible for free travel at all times on local buses, local trains and Metrolink Trams
in Greater Manchester, and on local buses elsewhere in England between 9.30 a.m. and 11.00 p.m on
Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and on public holidays if they:
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 are registered blind;
 are profoundly deaf or cannot speak or have limited speech that is difficult to understand; or
 have learning difficulties
 have severe walking difficulties;
 are registered partially sighted;
 are profoundly or severely deaf; and
 have been refused a driving licence for medical reasons.
For more information on the National Concessionary travel pass for disabled people please contact: Travel
Concessions, Customer Services, TfGM, P O Bo x 429, Manchester M60 1HX
Telephone: 0161 244 1050 or Visit: www.tfgm.com
Disability Living Allowance/ Personal Independence Payment (mobility component) – This is a financial
allowance paid by the DWP. People can qualify for this benefit depending on the degree of their mobility
impairment. People qualifying for the Disability Living Allowance Mobility component can qualify for a
leased vehicle under the mobility scheme in exchange for their allowance. Disability Living Allowance is
now known as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Availability of community transport - These are schemes that the Council supports to transport people
who are without private transport or who are unable to access public transport to make their journey.
There is a usually a small charge for each journey which is payable by the individual who travels. An
example of this is the Ring and ride scheme.
4. Charging - When will the Council ask for a contribution to provide transport?
Where there are no travel assistance options available, the council may offer transport for those who are
16 years or over to enable participation in education or an assessed eligible social care need to access
valued occupation or activity. Travel assistance options include all those which are described in section 3:
travel assistance solutions. Charging for transport is not an alternative for those who do not meet eligibility
under the All Age Travel Assistance Policy. Charging will only be considered as the last resort when all
travel assistance options have been exhausted and this is the only way to enable participation.
Trafford Council do not have a statutory duty beyond the statutory school age of 16 years to provide
transport. Beyond this point, the Council uses discretionary powers to provide transport. It is in exercising
these discretionary powers for transporting people 16+ where there are no travel assistance options
available that the Council we will be asking for a 50% contribution towards the cost of the transport. This
means that where the Council uses its discretion to provide transport, the passenger will receive a highly
discounted service subsidised by the Council. In 2015/16, the average cost that Trafford Council pays is £20
per journey; this would result in a £10 per journey contribution. Trafford Council will exercise discretion to
ensure that there are arrangements in place to support those individuals and families on low income.
For eligible children and adult learners transport will be provided free of charge but for those who do not
fall into these definitions the Council has the power to charge.
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5. What standards can those being transported on council provided transport and their
parent/ carers expect
All service users can expect:
 Drivers and Passenger Assistants to have undertaken enhanced DBS checks
 The competency of the Driver and Passenger Assistants to be performance managed by the Council
via the contract monitoring arrangements
 The conduct on the vehicle and at collection and drop off points to be of an acceptable standard in
accordance to the TTCU service standards document
 Any vehicle used to transport children to be properly licensed and roadworthy, and will offer
standards of comfort and safety as prescribed by relevant Statutory Law. Regular checks will be
carried out on all vehicles and recorded.
An allotted time will be allocated for pick up and drop off. The Council will do everything reasonably
possible to arrive within 15 minutes of the allocated time (although traffic, road and weather conditions
may affect these timings). The transport provider is responsible for communicating any major delays to
Trafford Transport Coordination Unit (TTCU) and they will then let the parents/carers or adult passengers
know via a text messaging service.
For children and young people aged 5-16 years, where a pick up point in allocated, it is expected that their
parent will escort them to it. Similarly parents are expected to meet their child at the drop off point on the
return journey.
5.1 Children with complex physical or medical needs
Where specialist travel arrangements are made it will be made in conjunction with parents, Trafford Travel
Coordination Unit (TTCU), Children’s Community Nursing Team and other involved practitioners.
Children with complex physical or medical needs are those children in respect of whom the Council has
received individual professional medical advice that the period of time that the child is on transport to
school is longer than they can safely spend without receiving medical assistance for a diagnosed condition.
This includes children in the following categories:
 Children and young people with continuous oxygen requirements
 Children and young people with a tracheostomy devise
 Children and young people with complex, unstable epilepsy requiring rescue medication
 Children and young people with asthma who may require emergency treatment
 Children and young people with stable epilepsy where rescue medication may possibly be required
for prolonged seizures
Due to the individual nature of any complex physical or medical needs the parents of the child may be best
placed to provide transport and will be encouraged to take the child to school themselves. In such cases
they will be eligible to receive mileage expenses.
If the parents are unable or unwilling to provide transport, the Council will offer the following travel
assistance options:
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

Suitable transport which enables a parent (or parents’ representative) to accompany the child in
order to provide any medical assistance required. A parents’ representative can be a carer over the
age of 18 nominated by the child’s parent.
Suitable transport where a Trafford Transport Coordination Unit (TTCU) Passenger Assistant is
available and willing to be trained to the appropriate level that keeps the child safe during the
journey.
Please note where the Council cannot allocate a Passenger Assistant (PA) or there is a delay in training the
PA in the appropriate skills, parents will be expected to accompany their children to school in the vehicle.
Failure to do so would mean that Trafford Council would be unable to provide the transport based on
safety. The duty as in all cases rests with the parents/ carers to ensure their child attends school.
Passenger Assistant training will be provided by TTCU for parents/carers or their representatives who
accompany children on TTCU commissioned transport which includes use of wheelchair restraints and
protocols in the event of an emergency.
No Council provided Passenger Assistant will administer treatment or medication without the consent of
the parent/carer, which will be obtained in writing together with a protocol for administering
treatment/medication to the child before transport is provided.
Only Passenger Assistants trained in the Specified Procedures relevant to the child will be allowed to
accompany the child. If, for whatever reason, such a Passenger Assistant is unavailable the parent or their
representative will be expected to travel with the child. In this instance it is still the responsibility of the
parent to ensure that their child attends school.
If the needs of the child change and new procedures are required which require the Passenger Assistant to
be retrained, the provision of a Passenger Assistant maybe withdrawn. Whilst the Passenger Assistant is
undertaking their training, the parent/ carers will be expected to either act as Passenger Assistant or
transport their child to school.
Protocols to carry medical equipment such as oxygen/medication will be provided and training given by the
practitioner involved with the child before transport is provided.
Drivers and Passenger Assistants will notify the TTCU, Headteacher at the school of any treatment or
medication given on the journey to and from school. The TTCU will then inform the parent/ carers.
In the event of an ambulance being called the Passenger Assistant will give a verbal report to the
paramedic and hand over protocols/treatment regime and medication. TTCU, the parent and Headteacher
will be informed.
5.2 Safety on transport
The Council aims to maintain the highest standards of safety and security for all passengers travelling to
their destination. Parents/carers also have a responsibility to help maintain safe and secure travelling
arrangements for the benefit of all transport users.
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Pupil behaviour whilst accessing supported transport is the responsibility of the parent/carers,
headteachers and the Council. The comfort and safety of all passengers is the main concern and
demonstrations of inappropriate behaviour by pupils will not be tolerated. Headteachers as well as the
Council are able to take action to address unacceptable behaviour when it is reasonable to do so.
Pupils being transported will be expected to follow the same behaviour codes as they do when in school.
Unacceptable behaviour will be monitored and may result in exclusion from transport. Parents and carers
will become responsible for transporting their own children during any period of exclusion from transport.
5.3 Withdrawal and exclusion from transport
The Council shall withdraw the provision of transport where it is considered that the passenger has
demonstrated such poor behaviour whilst using transport as to put at risk:
(a) the driver of the vehicle and/or;
(b) themselves;
(c) other passengers; or
(d) used threatening or violent language; and/or
(e) caused damage to the vehicle.
The withdrawal of transport will be:
(a) temporary; or
(b) permanent at the discretion of the Council having regard to all the circumstances of the passenger’s
behaviour where this has been serious or in persistent cases of misbehaviour.
Each case will be considered on its own merits. Where travel is withdrawn it will be the responsibility of
the parent(s)/ adult to pay for travel costs to their educational or care provision.
‘Temporary’ shall be for a specified number of weeks and ‘permanent’ shall be for the remainder of the
school year or longer, if justified by the circumstances. The withdrawal of transport (either temporary or
permanent) for a passenger shall not imply that travel assistance was not necessary and should not be
provided. The withdrawal would be because it was determined that the passenger’s behaviour was such
that they could no longer take advantage of it.
5.4 Journey Times
Every effort will be made to keep journey times to a minimum while also fulfilling the Council’s
responsibility to secure cost-effective provision. There may be times when it is not possible to meet these
journey times due to circumstances outside the Council’s control such as traffic congestion, accidents, or
adverse weather conditions for example.
 Primary age children - In normal circumstances primary school age children should not spend more
than 45 minutes each way being transported between home and school.
 Secondary age children - A child of secondary school age should not have a journey time that
exceeds 75 minutes each way.
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6. How and when to apply for travel assistance
6.1 Eligible Children and young people of statutory school age (aged between 5 and 16 years) without
special education needs and disabilities (SEND)
Parents of children without SEND and aged 5-16 years should contact the School Admissions Team for
information about what travel assistance they might be entitled to. They can do this by telephoning 0161
912 5080 or by writing to:
School Admissions Team, Travel Assistance
4th floor
Waterside House
Sale
M33 7ZF
6.2 Eligible children and young people of statutory school age (aged between 5 and 16 years) with SEND
Applications for travel assistance to start in September (the beginning of the school year) must be
completed in full and submitted on line by completing the X form (hyperlink form) on X at this link: by 30th
June. For applications received after that date there is no guarantee that travel assistance will be in place
for September.
For applications for travel assistance to start at a different point in the school year the TTCU will process
the applications and arrange travel assistance within 20 working days if the application is approved.
However there may be occasions when travel assistance cannot be arranged within 20 working days, for
example there may be the need to recruit or provide specialist training for Passenger Assistants, procure
additional vehicles or arrange independent travel training.
It is the responsibility of the adult, parent/carer to apply for travel assistance by the due date and a new
application form is needed at each of the following events:
 When a child is to start school in reception
 When a child turns 8 years old
 When a child turns 11 years old and moves to secondary school
 When a young person reaches 16 years old and statutory school age finishes
 Each year from the age of 16 years
 Change in circumstance e.g. change of school; change of address; change in the days travel
assistance is required
It is the responsibility of the parent/carer applying for travel assistance to make suitable alternative
arrangements during the application process.
After successfully meeting the initial application stage, contact will be made by the TTCU with the parent/
carer. More detailed information will be gathered about the individual needs of the child/ young person.
Stage 2 of the application process informs the risk assessment and informs the council’s travel assistance
offer. It also informs if any training is required to meet the child/ young person’s needs.
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Please note that once an application has been through the appeals process a new application will not be
considered unless there has been a change in circumstances.
6.3 Persons of sixth form age with SEND
Applications for travel assistance to start in September (the beginning of the school year) must be
completed in full and submitted on line by completing the X form (hyperlink form) on X at this link: by
30th June. For applications received after that date there is no guarantee that travel assistance will be in
place for September.
For applications for travel assistance to start at a different point in the school year the TTCU will process
applications and arrange travel assistance within 20 working days if the application is approved. However
there may be occasions when travel assistance cannot be arranged within 20 working days, for example
there may be the need to recruit or provide specialist training for Passenger Assistants, procure additional
vehicles or arrange independent travel training.
It is the responsibility of the adult, parent/carer to apply for travel assistance by the due date and a new
application form is needed at each of the following events:
 When a young person reaches 16 years old and statutory school age finishes
 Each year from the age of 16 years
 Change in circumstance e.g. change of educational establishment; change of home address;
change in the days travel assistance is required
It is the responsibility of the parent/carer applying for travel assistance to make suitable alternative
arrangements during the application process.
For adults over 18 years of age approval of transport costs must be included in the overall budget allocated
for care. A financial assessment is completed for all adults in receipt of care to assess their contribution to
their care. These decisions will be made as part of the transitional arrangements to adult care.
6.4 Adults learners and/ or 18+ years old for those accessing Social Care services
Applications for travel assistance to start in September (the beginning of the school year for adult learners)
must be completed in full and submitted on line by completing the X form (hyperlink form) on X at this
link: by 30th June. For applications received after that date there is no guarantee that travel assistance
will be in place for September.
For applications for travel assistance to start at a different point in the calendar year the TTCU will process
applications and arrange travel assistance within 20 working days if the application is approved. However
there may be occasions when travel assistance cannot be arranged within 20 working days, for example
there may be the need to recruit or provide specialist training for Passenger Assistants, procure additional
vehicles or arrange independent travel training.
After the assessment process has outlined a social care or adult learning need, it is the responsibility of the
adult, parent/carer to apply for travel assistance by the due date and a new application form is needed at
each of the following events:
 Each year from the age of 16 years
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
Change in circumstance e.g. change of educational establishment or social care provision; change
of home address; change in the days travel assistance is required
It is the responsibility of the adult, parent or carer applying for travel assistance to make suitable
alternative arrangements during the application/assessment process.
7. How to appeal a decision about travel assistance
This section informs applicants how to appeal a decision made by Trafford Council where an application
has been refused or there is a dispute about the type of travel assistance offered.
Please note that once an application has been through the appeals process a new application will not be
considered unless there has been a change in circumstances.
Table 1: How to appeal a decision
STAGE
1
Type of Travel
Assistance
SEN and Social
Care transport –
children’s and
adults
Free Travel Pass
Appeals
2
Free
Travel
Pass,
SEN
Transport,
Social
Care
transport
–
children’s and
adults
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Officer
Responsible/
Address
TTCU – Head of
Service
Children, Families
and Wellbeing, 1st
Floor,
Trafford Town Hall
Talbot Road
Stretford
Manchester
M32 0TH
Admissions Service
Manager
Children, Families
and Wellbeing
4th Floor
Waterside House
Sale Waterside
SALE M33 7ZF
Director of
Education, Health
and Care
Commissioning
Children, Families
and Wellbeing
Trafford Town Hall
Talbot Road
Manchester
M32 0TH
Procedure
to
appeal
Appellants must
set out why they
think the Travel
Assistance Policy
has not been
properly applied.
WHEN
(in writing)
Within 20 days of notification by the
Council that the application does not
qualify for travel assistance.
Appellants must
set out why they
think the Travel
Assistance Policy
has not been
properly applied.
If the appellant
believes that there
is evidence of
maladministration,
they can submit a
written appeal
setting out the
grounds for that
belief.
Within 20 days of receipt of a response to
the appeal.
Once appellant has gone through both
stages of the appeals process they can not
reapply within 12 months unless their
SEND or social care assessed needs have
changed.
If applicants fail to go through the two
stages of appeal they can not reapply
within 12 months unless their SEND or
social care assessed needs have changed
8. How to comment, compliment and complain about travel assistance
All initial comments, compliments and complaints should be sent to the Manager TTCU by telephone 0161
912 XXXX, in writing: Children, Family and Well-being, Trafford Town Hall, Talbot Road, Stretford M32 0TH
or by email to ttcu@trafford.gov.uk .
A complaint is different from an appeal (Section 7 above) against the decision not to provide travel
assistance. You may wish to complain about the journey, vehicle, driver or passenger assistant. It is
important that you raise your concerns as soon as possible to TTCU.
Complaints will be dealt with in accordance with the Council’s Corporate Complaints policy:
http://www.trafford.gov.uk/about-your-council/complaints/general-council-complaints.aspx
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