School travel assistance
Key changes to home to school transport policy from 2025
Our new policy was approved by Cabinet on 14 August 2024.
You can expect:
- eligibility to remain unchanged
- a new transport management system
- an improved application process
- fully compliant transport provision
What we will achieve
The Council is committed to maintaining a full transport provision, in compliance with its statutory duties.
Eligibility remains unchanged as this is defined by the Department for Education in their Statutory Guidance, but there are additions to the existing choices of transport assistance.
The current bus service, shared/single occupancy taxis, and travel training will remain the same.
However, in addition we have introduced Personal Transport Budgets as a choice to give parents and guardians flexibility in how their child can get to and from school.
Unlike other Local Authorities, Havering have decided not to introduce a charge for post 16 children travel, but will keep this under review.
The application processes will remain similar and will include a face-to-face assessment, but elements will be adjusted to reflect feedback and reduce the complexity, including the introduction of pre-paid cards for families choosing a Personal Transport Budget.
The appeal process will now include independent panel members to ensure a fair hearing of the appeal.
A new transport management system is being introduced which will include real-time information, enabling parents to be alerted to any potential delays and giving them greater confidence in pick up and drop off times.
The new policy will take effect from 1 September 2024. This means that:
- applications for travel assistance for the 2024/25 Academic year (children starting school in September 2024) will be subject to the previous policy
- applications for travel assistance for the 2025/26 Academic year (children starting school in September 2025) will be subject to this new policy, and we expect applications to be made from April 2025
- applications for travel assistance from 1 September 2024 due to school moves, or a change in circumstances will be subject to this new policy
Before applying
Before applying, it’s good to know the following.
- It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to ensure that their children attend school regularly
- Students who are able to safety travel independently, or with the support of a parent, guardian or other appropriate person, are encouraged to do so
- Free travel on public transport is encouraged wherever possible
- All alternative options are explored before travel assistance is provided
- Students who require travel assistance are offered the most independent and personally enabling solution
- The type of travel assistance offered is the most effective, efficient and sustainable in terms of cost
You must read the full criteria set in the policy before applying.
You may also find reading the free school transport blog on the GOV.UK website helpful.
Make an application
Although the deadline date for the travel assistance application was Friday 24 May 2024, we are still accepting in-year applications, which can be submitted anytime during the year.
Please note that applications submitted very late may cause a delay to the assessment and processing of such applications.
As a result we cannot guarantee that transport arrangements will be in place at the start of 2024/25 academic year for late applications.
We therefore encourage all parents and guardians to continue to submit your travel assistance application as soon as possible.
Students who currently receive Havering travel assistance and have had no significant changes in their circumstances can complete our renewal form below.
Significant changes include things such as:
- change of school
- change of home address
- change of healthcare needs
Students who have not applied before and meet the eligibility criteria must complete the apply for travel assistance form below.
Students who have applied before but have reported changes in their circumstances must also complete the apply for travel assistance form below.
Should you have any questions relating to the travel assistance application and eligibility, or to update your personal information, please email cadtransport@havering.gov.uk.
Types of assistance
Assistance may be given to those who are eligible by:
- a free space on our travel training programme to build confidence for the future and support young people to travel independently
- reimbursement of travel expenses or fuel
- the allocation of a seat on a vehicle, with pick-up at a meeting point or outside the home
Eligibility
The council provides transport to eligible students aged between 5 and 16, with some discretion to provide transport for those over the age of 16 with special educational needs and disabilities and, in exceptional circumstances, to children under 5.
Eligibility is assessed by:
- impact of special educational needs and disabilities
- impact of mobility needs (student or parent)
- distance between the school/college and home
- safety of the route
- low income
The assessment of eligibility will also take into account:
- the age of the student
- the students’ need for specialist transport
- the students’ need for supervision
- the students’ alternative travel options available
- whether the student can be accompanied and whether the parent/guardian can reasonably be expected to do this
- whether the student can independently use any form of travel card, or has access to a bursary fund on the grounds of transport
The council does not provide travel assistance to those who do not attend the nearest suitable qualifying school. For details please review the policy.
Assistance in future years
Travel assistance will only be granted for the length of time stated in the confirmation notice and will be given for no longer than one academic year.
Continuing assistance with home to school/college travel cannot be guaranteed in future years. You must apply each year travel assistance is required.
Appeals
If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the outcome of the application an appeal can be made.
Appeal a travel assistance decision
You must appeal within 20 days of receiving a decision. Any appeals submitted after this date will not be accepted.
You should hear back within 40 working days.
Communication
The council is moving many of its services online and that includes our application form, email confirmation notices and email renewal notices. To request these services in alternative accessible formats, please contact the council’s Children and Adults with Disabilities Team.
We listened
During this years’ annual renewal of our travel assistance policy, we asked parents and guardians of children with special educational needs and disabilities for their feedback on using our application form. Read the feedback and changes we made.
To support us with future tests and co-production work relating to home to school travel assistance, please contact cadtransport@havering.gov.uk.