The Home to School Travel Appeals Panel were scheduled to meet to discuss a report on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames, and to agree on a meeting procedure. Councillor Diane White, Portfolio Holder for Children's Services (including Education) and Co-Chair - People Committee, was scheduled to attend as a substitute. The panel was expected to exclude the press and public from the meeting because of the confidential nature of the information to be discussed.

Home to School Travel Appeals

The panel were scheduled to discuss a report on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames. The report pack included the Kingston upon Thames Home to School (5 to 16) Travel Assistance Policy.

The policy stated that it:

explains the criteria for eligibility for travel assistance for pupils to their school for children and young people of compulsory school age (5 to 16 years old) how parents and carer can apply for travel assistance and how decisions are made sets out how parents and carers may appeal against decisions that they believe do not comply with this policy

The policy applies to children and young people of compulsory school age, defined as:

A child or young person is of compulsory school age from the start of term after their fifth birthday until the last day of the academic year in which they are in year 11. This applies to children and young people with and without an education health and care plan (EHCP).

The policy sets out four core categories of eligible children or young people: those who meet statutory walking distances, those with unsafe walking routes, those with extended rights, and those with special educational needs, disability and mobility problems.

Statutory Walking Distances

The council will provide free home to school travel assistance for children who meet the 'qualifying distance' criteria: two miles or more for children below the age of 8, and three miles or more for children aged 8 and above, measured by the shortest walking distance between the home and the nearest suitable school.

Unsafe Walking Routes

The council will provide travel assistance if a child cannot reasonably be expected to walk to the nearest suitable school because the route is deemed unsafe, even if accompanied.

Extended Rights Eligibility

Children from low-income families are entitled to additional support. This applies to pupils who are entitled to free school meals, or those families who are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit¹ (WTC). Children above the age of 8, but under the age of 11, from low-income families will be entitled to travel assistance to their nearest suitable school if the shortest walking distance between their home and the school is more than two miles. Children aged 11 and over from low-income families will be entitled to travel assistance if they attend one of their three nearest suitable schools where they live between two and six miles from their school. Children aged 11 and over from low-income families who are attending their nearest designated faith school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief will also be entitled to travel assistance if their school is more than two miles but not more than 15 miles from their home.

Special Educational Needs, Disability and Mobility Problems

Where a child with special educational needs, a disability and mobility problems does not meet the other three eligibility criteria, but has identified specific needs or circumstances that may mean it is unreasonable to expect the child to walk to school, an assessment will be undertaken to identify if support with travel is necessary to access their education setting.

Application Process

All requests for travel assistance for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities² (SEND) must be made by parent and carers through submission of an online application form via the Main SEND Transport page on the Local Offer website. All other requests must be made through the submission of an application via the Pupil and Student Finance, and School Travel Grant webpages on the council website.

Assessing Travel Support Entitlement

In all cases, a child must be attending the nearest suitable school. The nearest suitable school will be measured by shortest walking distance.

Appeals

Parents may wish to appeal a decision about their child's eligibility, the travel arrangements offered, the distance measurement, or the safety of the route. The council operates a two-stage appeal process: a review by a senior officer, and a review by an independent appeal panel.

Meeting Procedure

The panel were scheduled to agree to a meeting procedure. The procedure stated that the Local Authority's case would be presented by the Head of Service (SEND Transport) of Achieving for Children³ on behalf of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The parent would then present their case. The Head of SEND Transport and Parent would then leave the meeting while the panel made their decision. The parent would be informed of the decision in writing within 5 working days.