You may disagree with a decision we have made around SEND home to school transport. You can make an appeal about:
- your child’s eligibility for SEND home to school transport
- the transport offered
- the distance measured between home and school (in relation to statutory walking distances or extended rights)
- the safety of the route.
You can not make an appeal about:
- needing transport because of work commitments
- wanting transport so that your child can attend the same school as a sibling
We are not legally required to give Home to School Transport to students that do not attend the closest school that meets their needs.
Stage 1 appeal
You have 20 days to make an appeal after being told our decision. You can do this by sending a letter or email to our SEND Travel Support Team.
In your letter or email, you should:
- explain why you believe that we should review the decision
- include any information you want us to consider when reviewing the decision
A senior officer will look at your appeal. They will then write to you and explain:
- whether or not the decision will be changed
- the reason for changing or upholding a decision
This will be done within 20 days of receiving your letter or email.
Stage 2 appeal
A stage 2 appeal can only be made when a stage 1 appeal is unsuccessful. You must send a letter or email our SEND Transport Team within 20 days of being told.
An independent panel will review your case. The panel members will not have been involved with the original decision. They will ensure that:
- we comply with our statutory duties
- a balance is achieved between meeting the needs of parents and of Newcastle City Council
- that no child is placed at unnecessary risk
The Chair of the panel will write to you about the outcome. They will clearly explain:
- whether or not they have upheld the local authority’s home to school transport decision
- why they reached that decision
- the information used that led to that decision.
Stage 2 appeals can take up to 40 working days.
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
You can complain to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman if a stage 2 appeal is unsuccessful.
Parents may complain to the Ombudsman if they believe the local authority has:
- refused help unfairly
- made a mistake
- not handled their application for home to school transport correctly.