SEND appeals
Stage 1 appeals
Everyone has the right to appeal if they disagree with the initial decision about travel assistance. The County Council operates a two-stage appeal process for transport cases.
Complete a stage 1 appeal form to make an appeal about a decision regarding SEND travel assistance. There are different appeal forms depending on the age group of the child or young adult requiring transport. Your decision letter will inform you which form to complete. The forms are at the bottom of this page. Please send the completed stage 1 appeal form to Discretionary Transport.
A panel of senior officers from across the County Council will consider all stage 1 appeals. The members of the panel will consider:
- the appeal form
- any information provided in support of the appeal
- the original application form and supporting information provided with the application
- any other correspondence used by the officer to reach a decision
We shall aim to provide you with a decision from your stage 1 appeal within 20 working days of receipt of the appeal form. You will receive an email with the detailed reasoning for the decision.
During this stage (or a stage 2 appeal) we will not provide travel assistance or make a change to existing travel assistance. You will continue to be responsible for ensuring your child or young adult attends their placement.
Stage 1 appeal forms
- Nursery age [104.3 KB] [docx]
- Age 5 to 16 (compulsory school age) [99.8 KB] [docx]: reception to year 11
- Age 16 to 19 [104.4 KB] [docx]
- Over 19 (adult learner) [102.8 KB] [docx]
Stage 2 appeals
You can only make a stage 2 appeal regarding SEND travel assistance after you have received a decision from a stage 1 appeal.
There are different appeal forms depending on the age group of the child or young adult requiring transport. Your decision letter from the stage 1 appeal will inform you which form to complete. The forms can be found at the bottom of this page. Please send the completed stage 2 appeal form to Transport Appeals.
All stage 2 appeals will be considered by The Discretionary Transport Appeal Panel. This is made up of three elected County Councillors. The Appeal Panel will consider the original application and the appeal forms together with any supporting documents or information provided in relation to the application or the appeal.
If the cost of transport will have a significant impact on your finances, you must complete the financial statement. Please be assured that all information is treated in the strictest confidence.
It is not usually possible to attend Appeal Panel meetings in person. It may be possible to provide verbal representations at the meeting only in exceptional circumstances where there could be significant disadvantage in making an appeal without this. This can be requested on the appeal form.
The Appeal Panel will meet within 40 working days of receipt of the application. Within 5 working days of the meeting, you will be informed of their decision in writing.
Find out about appeal panel members and future meetings.
Stage 2 appeal forms
- Compulsory school age (age 5 to 16) [99.3 KB] [docx]: School years from reception to year 11
- 16 to 19-year-olds [97.3 KB] [docx]
- Aged 19 and over [110.0 KB] [docx] (adult learner)