The Home to School Travel Appeals Panel of Kingston upon Thames Council was scheduled to meet on Thursday 13 November 2025 to discuss procedures for hearing appeals and to consider a report on the council's Home to School Travel Assistance Policy. The meeting was scheduled to involve the exclusion of the press and public for certain agenda items.

Meeting Procedure

The panel was scheduled to agree on the procedure for conducting its meetings. This procedure, outlined in Appendix A of the report pack, details a process where the Local Authority's case would be presented by the Head of Service (SEND Transport) of Achieving for Children, followed by questions from panel members and parents. The parent's case would then be presented, with subsequent questions. The procedure also included summing up of both cases, additional questions from panel members, and the panel moving to a private session to make a decision, with the parent being informed in writing within five working days.

Kingston Upon Thames Home to School Travel Assistance Policy

The panel was scheduled to consider the Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames Council's Home to School (5 to 16) Travel Assistance Policy. This policy, published in May 2024 by the Special Educational Needs Transport department, aims to empower children and young people to live happy and fulfilling lives by ensuring they have access to education.

The policy outlines the criteria for eligibility for travel assistance for children and young people of compulsory school age (5 to 16 years old). It details how parents and carers can apply for assistance and how decisions are made, including provisions for appeals against decisions. The policy is based on statutory requirements from the Education Act 1996 and guidance from the Department for Education.

Key aspects of the policy include:

• Eligibility Criteria: The policy defines eligibility based on four core categories: statutory walking distances, unsafe walking routes, extended rights for low-income families, and special educational needs, disability, and mobility problems.
  • Statutory Walking Distances: Assistance is provided if the distance from home to the nearest suitable school is two miles or more for children under eight, and three miles or more for those aged eight and above.
  • Unsafe Walking Routes: Travel assistance may be provided if a walking route is deemed unsafe, even with accompaniment.
  • Extended Rights Eligibility: This applies to pupils from low-income families (eligible for free school meals or maximum Working Tax Credit). Specific distance criteria apply for children aged 8-11 and those aged 11 and over, including those attending faith schools.
  • Special Educational Needs, Disability and Mobility Problems: An individual assessment is undertaken if a child does not meet other criteria but has specific needs that make walking to school unreasonable.
• Application Process: Applications are primarily made online, with specific procedures for children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The policy notes that applications may take up to 12 working days to process, and families should be prepared to make their own interim travel arrangements.
• Named School in an EHCP: The policy addresses how schools are named in EHCPs and the considerations for travel assistance, including the impact of the journey on the child's ability to learn and the efficient use of council resources.
• Walking Distance Measurement: Distances are measured using the shortest available walking route, with provisions for reviewing routes deemed unavailable or unsafe.
• Accompaniment: Parents or carers are generally expected to accompany their child, with exceptions considered for extenuating circumstances.
• Appeals Process: A two-stage appeal process is detailed, involving a review by a senior officer, followed by a review by an independent appeal panel.
• Discretionary Travel Support: The policy outlines provisions for children below statutory school age with SEND and for extenuating circumstances, which are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Forms of Travel Support: A range of support options are listed, including TfL travel cards, travel grants, mileage reimbursement, personal travel budgets, shared transport, and individual transport, with individual transport being considered exceptional.
• Passenger Assistants and Medical Needs: The policy details the criteria for providing passenger assistants and the procedures for assessing and managing children's medical needs during travel.
• Collection Points and Residential Placements: The policy addresses the use of collection points to promote independence and the provision of travel assistance for children in residential placements.
• Independent Travel Training: The council's duty to encourage independent travel for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities is highlighted.

The report pack also included a document titled Meeting Procedure which was to be agreed at the meeting.