Home to School Travel and Independent Travel Training Explained

This session explains how both home to school transport and independent travel training works in Bristol, what support may be available, and how families can navigate the process with confidence. We’ll talk through the application journey step by step, explain who does what, and share practical tips for avoiding common problems.

The focus is on clarity, not jargon – so families know what to expect, where to go for help, and what to do if things don’t go to plan.

This session is suitable for parent carers, schools, colleges, and professionals supporting young people who either are using or will be new to the home to school transport service.

In this session we will cover

• Who is responsible for transport decisions and delivery
• The difference between eligibility, discretion and appeals
• The main service providers involved in transport
• Who travel training is for
• How to apply, what forms are used, and when to apply
• What to do if transport is delayed, refused, or not working
• Who to contact if there are problems or concerns
• How post-16 home to school transport works in Bristol
• We’ll also share common issues families experience and what tends to help resolve them.

Places are free, but if you’re able to make a small donation to help us continue offering free sessions to as many families as possible, we’d be incredibly grateful.

*Please note, to attend this session for free you must live in Bristol (your bin will be collected by Bristol City Council), or your child must attend a school in the Bristol city area. You must also have a child with Special Educational Needs, but they do not need to have a diagnosis.