If a young person has an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP), they can get free home to school transport if Leeds City Council hasn’t made arrangements for them to attend a setting closer to home.
If Leeds City Council thinks that they are not attending their nearest suitable school, they will not provide free transport.
In this case, Section I of the EHCP will name two schools, and will contain a written condition.
Example of a Section I condition:Leeds City Council believes the child’s needs can be met at School A. Parental preference is for School B. The child will attend School B on the condition that the parents pay for transport. |
If a nearer school is unable to meet need, or does not have a place available, it does not count as a nearer suitable school.
You can ask Leeds City Council to name your choice of school unconditionally in Section I, if either:
- the EHCP states you need to pay for school transport
- your young person is attending their nearest suitable school with a place available
- the difference in cost between Leeds City Council and your choice of school (including the cost of transport) is not unreasonable
If they will not do this, you could appeal to the SEND tribunal, if it is within two months of the plan being finalised.
If you are not within the time limit to make an appeal, you can make the request for the placement to be named unconditionally at the next ECHP review.