In one sentence: we are asking for a small set of yearly numbers ‘how many families applied for school travel assistance for a child with special educational needs or a disability, how many were refused, how many refusals were challenged, and how many challenges succeeded’.
WHO THIS COVERS
Children of compulsory school age (roughly ages 5 to 16) where the application for travel assistance was made because the child’s special educational needs, disability or mobility problems mean they cannot reasonably be expected to walk to school. (This is the eligibility route under section 508B of, and Schedule 35B to, the Education Act 1996.) We call these “SEND-ground applications” below.
WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR
For each academic year ‘ 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26 (year to date) ‘ please provide:
1. Applications decided: the number of SEND-ground applications your authority made a decision on.
In Devon, families do not apply for school transport for children with Education and Health Care Plans (EHCPs). This is because the Transport Team is made aware when a new educational setting has been named in an EHCP, and the Transport Team makes the initial contact with the family to make arrangements without the parent/carer needing to submit an application.
2. Refused in full: of those, the number where no travel assistance of any kind was awarded.
N/A, please see the response to question 1.
3. Stage 1 challenges: the number of those refusals the family asked you to look at again (your first review or appeal stage, whatever it is called locally).
Four stage one appeals for academic year 2025-26. Devon County Council (DCC) does not hold any information from previous years.
4. Stage 1 successes: of those, the number where the outcome changed so that some assistance was awarded.
One for the academic year 2025-26. DCC does not hold any information from previous years.
5. Stage 2 appeals: the number that went on to your second (final) appeal stage ‘ an appeal panel or equivalent.
None for the academic year 2025-26. DCC does not hold any information from previous years.
6. Stage 2 successes: of those, the number where some assistance was awarded.
Not applicable, please see the response to the question 5 above.
7. Who currently decides your Stage 2 appeals:
a. a panel independent of the original decision-makers,
b. elected councillors, or
c. a council officer? Please also provide a copy of, or a link to, your current home to school travel policy and appeals procedure.
A panel of elected members.