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Home to School SEND Travel Assistance - Travel Assistance Budgets (TABs)

Travel Assistance budget (TAB) Definition

Travel Assistance Budgets (TABs) are available where a child or young person is entitled for Travel Assistance to school as a result of their Special Educational Needs and disability (SEND). The Council's SEND Travel Assistance Team will assess matters for suitability against DfE Guidelines and the SEND Travel Assistance Policy, at fortnightly panels.

The aim is to support families to take their own children to school, reduce journey times, and/or to support the independence of the young person and enable them to become independent travellers.

The Council will consider paying a Travel Assistance Budget calculated using an enhanced mileage allowance based on distance to school, with an additional rate if an escort is required.

Travel Assistance will be determined by the child’s termly attendance and punctuality at school. 

The budget may be used in a variety of ways, for example:

  • Driving or cycling a child to school
  • Purchasing a travel pass for a parent or trusted escort
  • Paying an escort or travel buddy
  • Sharing transport with another parent
  • Purchasing childcare for siblings
  • Payment towards a taxi

Benefits

This Travel Assistance budget can be spent in any way seen fit to enable the child to get to school, keeping flexibility and control within the family. The payments are split throughout the financial year and the money is paid at the start of each school term.

If a parent/carer receives a TAB, it is their duty to use that payment to arrange for their child to get to and from school every school day. It is parents’ responsibility to ensure that travel provided is safe and accessible and that school attendance is maintained.

The Council will consider any package or option proposed by a parent or group of parents that enables parents to take full or partial responsibility for travel arrangements for an eligible child/young person. The budget will be individually tailored to each family’s circumstances.

One of the key benefits is that it also gives parents/carers the flexibility to choose the mode of transport that suits their circumstances as the budget allows them to switch from one mode of transport to another.

Rates

  • 0.96 pence per mile for schools in Wandsworth
  • 0.92 pence per miles for schools out of Wandsworth
  • 0.72 pence per mile for schools out of London

How to apply

An online application will need to be fully completed and submitted to the SEND Travel Assistance Team. The completed application will be assessed against DfE Guidance, and the SEND Travel Assistance Policy, for eligibility at a future fortnightly panel. The panel’s decision will be communicated to the parent within seven working days. A further 15 working days will be required in order to safely setup all agreed forms of SEND Travel Assistance. The whole process can take up to approximately one month to complete.

Start SEN Travel Assistance Application

 

For help completing the application form, please contact the WIASS team using the link below. 

Please note, they are only able to provide general advice on completing the application form.  They are unable to provide advice on the SEND Travel Assistance team’s processes.

Wandsworth Information, Advice and Support Service (WIASS)

If you have questions on completing the Application form, or would like any further advice, please contact the SEND Travel Assistance team using the email below. 

Who to contact

Contact Name
SEND Travel Assistance Team
E-mail
SENtravelassistance@wandsworth.gov.uk

Last updated: 07 Nov 2023