1 What is a Personal Transport Budget (PTB)?
A Personal Transport Budget (PTB) is a sum of money provided by the council to support parents and carers arrange suitable transport for their child or young adult.
PTBs are available to those who qualify for council travel assistance. They offer flexibility, allowing families to organise transport in a way that best suits their individual circumstances.
Key features of a PTB
Payment arrangements
PTBs are paid after the travel has taken place. Payments are based on the child’s confirmed attendance at school or college. The school must check and confirm attendance before passing the information to the SEN Planning Team.
The council usually makes payments each term or half term, once it has received and approved the attendance records.
How payment is worked out
The council works out the PTB based on distance travelled. It pays 70 pence for each mile for a child or young person with SEND. The total yearly amount depends on the distance between home and the school or setting.
If a family takes more than one eligible child in the same vehicle, the council pays one amount per vehicle, not one payment for each child.
2 How to use a PTB
PTBs are flexible and can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- paying for fuel or running costs of a family vehicle
- paying someone else to transport siblings, allowing the parent or carer to focus on the eligible child or young adult
- purchasing travel passes for other family members to support travel arrangements
- arranging shared transport, for example, carpooling with other families
Restrictions on PTB usage are:
- PTBs cannot be used for council organised transport services
- they must only be used to facilitate the eligible child or young adult's travel to and from the educational setting
- they cannot be used for non-educational purposes, such as work experience, or for any illegal, unsafe or inappropriate activities
Conditions and accountability
Eligibility and payments
PTBs are awarded based on eligibility for council travel support. The council pays the money after the travel has taken place, based on how often the child attends school or college. The school must confirm the attendance before payment.
Change of circumstances
You must tell the PTB team if your address changes or if your child or young person moves to a different school or college. Please give at least 10 working days’ notice. Email: ptbqueries@westsussex.gov.uk.
Your legal and safety duties
If you use the PTB to pay someone to help with transport, you are responsible for following the law. This includes rules about employment, tax, insurance and health and safety. You must also check that the person has a valid DBS certificate.
Value for money
The council may review the PTB. It may stop the payments if it finds a different transport option that is more suitable or costs less.
3 How the amount is determined
Mileage calculation
The payment is based on the shortest road distance between home and the educational setting. This includes 2 return journeys per day (4 individual journeys).
Alternative routes are not considered when calculating distance.
Assessment criteria
Factors such as your child or young adult’s individual needs, the distance and duration of the journey and other available council transport options are also considered when determining the PTB amount. We will also consider whether your child or young adult can travel independently or requires assistance.
4 Applying for a PTB
You do not need to apply. We will contact you if you are eligible.
5 Contact us
For any enquiries about your PTB, including payments, attendance or changes in circumstances, email ptbqueries@westsussex.gov.uk.
When contacting us, include:
- your child or young adult’s full name
- your child or young adult’s date of birth
- your contract reference (if known)
- a clear description of your enquiry