Special Transport Services to School

Disclaimer: This information sheet is for education purposes only. Please consult with your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.

It is the responsibility of all parents/care givers to make arrangements to get their child to school safely. In some instances however, Special Transport Services can be applied for to assist your child to attend school.

Special Transport Services are available to ALL students at government and non government schools, but is not an automatic service. Each family and student will be assessed according to their needs and ability to meet Special Transport Services criteria.

Assessment of a student needs is based on such criteria as:

• Is the parent/caregiver able to provide or arrange transport for their child
• Can the student use public transport safely (eg. Age, cognitive function)
• Availability & type of public transport
• The complexity of using public transport (3 or more changes each way)
• The length of travel time (no more than 90 minutes on each one way trip)
• Restricted mobility eg needing equipment such as a wheelchair or physical changes such as very poor balance, weakness etc.
• Inappropriate behaviour
• Failure to learn to use public transport via a travel training program

Parents and caregivers are still required to actively be involved in transport of their child to school even if Special Transport Services are provided. This means:

• To actively pursue travel training program for the student if appropriate
• Being present at pick up and set down times
• Informing the school about changes in the school attendance pattern
• Being involved in annual reviews of the transport arrangements

How to Apply for Special Transport Services

Hospital staff and the Dept of Education, Specialist School Counsellor will assist with the formal application if your child is being discharged from hospital. The form is called, `Special Transport Services for Students with Disabilities, Learning Difficulties and Behaviour Disorders'. You can also get this form directly from your child's school.

Parents are required to write a letter to the school principal stating why transport is needed. Additional support can be provided by Hospital staff.

The Special Transport Unit will make a decision about the application and will monitor the annual reviews.

Concerns about the type and timing of transport offered to your child can be directed back to the school principal or the Special Transport Unit

Reference: Department of Education & Training, Special Education Handbook for Schools.

Rehabilitation Department The Children's Hospital at Westmead Cnr Hawkesbury Rd & Hainsworth St, Westmead Locked Bag 4001, Westmead, 2145 Tel: (02) 9845 2132 - Fax: (02) 9845 0685 http://www.chw.edu.au/rehabilitation/