School Transport Policy

Appendix 5: Appeals Policy

Purpose
To provide a fair, transparent and consistent process for reviewing decisions made under the School Transport Policy. The process ensures decisions are reconsidered objectively, consistently, and within reasonable timescales, based solely on written evidence.

Scope
Parents or guardians may appeal decisions relating to:

• Eligibility for free home-to-school transport
• Requests involving exceptional circumstances

Appeals cannot be made for:

• Learners under age 5
• Learners aged 19 or over
• Spare seat refusals

Appeals Process Overview
The appeals process is designed to ensure that all applications are considered fairly, transparently, and independently. It consists of two stages, with each stage being reviewed by a different panel. Where an appeal is not upheld at Stage 1, parents or carers may request that the decision be reviewed at Stage 2.

Stage 1 – Officer Review Panel
Parents or carers may submit a written request for a review of the transport decision within 28 calendar days of receiving notification of the outcome.

The appeal will be considered by an Officer Review Panel comprising representatives from:

• Passenger Transport (Learner Travel),
• Legal Services, and
• Education and Children’s Services.

The review will be based solely on the written information provided. Parents or carers will not attend the panel meeting. Following consideration of all relevant information, a written decision will be issued outlining the outcome.

Stage 2 – Member Appeal Panel
Where a parent or carer remains dissatisfied with the Stage 1 outcome, they may request that the appeal be referred to the Home to School Transport Appeals Panel.

The appeal will be considered by elected Members at the next available meeting. The panel will review all relevant information and circumstances before reaching a decision.

The decision of the Home to School Transport Appeals Panel is final and concludes the Council’s appeals process.

Grounds for Appeal and Supporting Evidence
Applicants should clearly set out the reasons for their appeal and provide relevant supporting evidence. Examples of acceptable grounds (though not exhaustive) include:

• Family circumstances: work patterns, single parent responsibilities
• Medical needs: GP/consultant letters, disability benefits proof
• Care/social circumstances: social worker or safeguarding evidence
• Bullying/safety concerns: safeguarding logs, police/PCSO reports
• Housing/homelessness: Housing Services evidence, eviction notices

Policy Review
The Appeals Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure fairness, clarity and compliance with statutory guidance.