We have had to change the way that some of our services operate to meet the guidelines set out by the government in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

If you think your child should have been awarded transport but it has been refused, you can appeal to have your application re-considered. The appropriate form will be sent to you when a request for transport assistance has been refused.

Stage one appeal

Any appeal against our decision to refuse transport assistance for your child must be made within 20 working days from the date of the letter informing you of the decision. Appeals received after this deadline will not be considered.

Please give as much detail as possible when you complete the appeal form - you can add a separate sheet of information if you believe this would help officers to understand your circumstances.

Your appeal will be considered by a panel of our senior officers who have not been involved in making the initial decision. They will review the original decision and the points you raise on your appeal form. We will send you a letter, normally within 20 working days, telling you the outcome of the appeal and the reasons for the decision. If your request for transport has been refused we will tell you how to take your request to a stage two appeal.

  Download a stage one appeal form

Stage two appeal

If you have been refused transport assistance at the stage one appeal, you can make a further appeal. You must return the form within 20 working days from the date of the letter informing you of the decision. Appeals received after this deadline will not be considered.

A stage two appeal will be considered by a panel of council members (Councillors) who will not have been involved in the initial decision or the first stage appeal. You will be asked to put your case in writing and the officers involved will also put their case in writing to the appeal panel. You will be invited to attend the appeal to make your case to the panel. An officer who has been involved in the case will also attend. This appeal hearing will normally take place within 40 working days of receipt of your appeal. You will be notified of the outcome of the appeal in writing within 5 working days of the appeal.

If at the end of the appeal process you believe that it has not been properly handled you have a right to complain to the Local Government Ombudsman:

  Make a complaint Opens in a new window

Contact Children Services Transport Team

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