SEND Transport - Support getting to and from school or college
Advice page content
Some children who have SEND may be able to receive free school transport or support to travel to and from their school or college.
Your child may be entitled to free transport if they cannot walk to school because of their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem.
How do I know if my child or young person can access this service?
To be eligible for Hackney's SEND Travel Assistance Service one or more of the following situations must apply:
- Your child or young person has SEND (special educational needs and or disability) or mobility problems and there is no school place near their home
- If aged 5 -7 years old they cannot walk to school, even though it is within the normal walking distance (2 miles)
- If aged 8 or over they cannot walk to school, even though it is within the normal walking distance (3 miles)
- They cannot be reasonably expected to walk a particular route even though the school is within the normal walking distances
- They have SEN and attend a school where there are no arrangements for boarding at or near the school
- their religion or belief means that the nearest suitable school is outside reasonable walking distance.
How can I apply for support from this service?
If one or more of the criteria above applies to your child or young person and they need school transport assistance pease complete the correct application form for your child's age and situation.
When completed make sure you submit it.
It will automatically alert the correct team.
You will receive a copy by email for your records.
Enquiries about "NEW" SEND transport applications should be sent to the
SEND Business Support Team.
Email sendbusinesssupport@hackney.gov.uk
Phone: 0208 820 7000 (option 4)
Enquiries about students with existing SEND transport arrangements in place should be sent to Hackney SEND Travel Assistance Service.
Email transport@hackney.gov.uk
Phone 020 8558 4283
What if I have had a change of circumstances?
If you have had a chnage of circumstances please complete and return the "Change of circumstances" form to inform the service.
If you have moved home or school meaning a pickup or drop off arrangement needs to be rearranged, this could take up to 5 working days to organise.
Existing routes will have been carefully planned to try to meet the needs of all students and settings who receive support from the SEND Travel Assistance service. Any re-arrangements could have a knock-on effect and will need more careful planning.
What if I do not have access to the internet?
Completing the online form is the best way to apply for the service. Ask one of the services working with you to help you complete and submit the form online, prehaps the school SENCo or a member of the school support staff.
Alternatively contact the correct team choosing from the options below, and ask them to send you a hard copy by post to complete and return.
Enquiries about "NEW" SEND transport applications should be sent to the
SEND Business Support Team.
Email sendbusinesssupport@hackney.gov.uk
Phone: 0208 820 7000 (option 4)
Enquiries about students with existing SEND transport arrangements in place should be sent to Hackney SEND Travel Assistance Service.
Email transport@hackney.gov.uk
Phone 020 8558 4283
Is there travel support for children and young people who do not have an EHC Plans?
Income assessed parents
Children may also be able to get free transport where:
- They are eligible for Free School Meals
- Have parents in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit,
- There are not three or more suitable nearer school places, and the school place is 2-6 miles from home.
Secondary school children attending a school on grounds of religion or belief may be able to get free transport where the school is more than two miles and less than 15 miles from home, and there is no suitable alternative school nearer home.
Disabled parents
Children in primary school may be provided with free travel to school if a parent has a disability that prevents them from taking their child to school.
Contact Hackney Pupil benefits service
Email PupilBenefits@hackney.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 8820 7000 (option 2)
How do I appeal a decision about Home to School SEND Transport?
The Department for Education has a flow chart of the Home to school travel and transport review and appeals process on Page 63 of their Home to school travel and transport statutory guidance for local authorities 2023(PDF)
Hackney's application appeals process
Hackney’s Pupil Benefits Policies 2022- 2023 (PDF 306 KB) includes Hackney Council's Home to School Travel and Transport Review and Appeals process on Page 6 Paragraph 4.4.3.
There are two stages to the appeal process;
- Stage 1 – In writing within 20 school days to the Head of Admissions and Pupil Benefits.
- Stage 2 – If the parent is not satisfied with the outcome of the Stage 1 decision, they have 40 school days to make a written request for the appeal to be heard by an independent appeal panel comprising suitably experienced officers of the Authority who are not members of the admissions and pupil benefits team.
Making an appeal to the Ombudsman
If you are still not satisfied with a decision made after a review of a decision about your SEND Home to School Transport applications you can make an appeal to the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman says:
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You will usually have to complete all review stages before we will look at your complaint. You should complete the council's Home to School Travel and Transport Review/Appeals process first.
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Then, if you are unhappy with the outcome, or the council is taking too long to look into the matter (it may take about 12-16 weeks) you can complain to us.
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You should normally make your complaint to us within 12 months of realising that the council has done something wrong.