Post-16 Transport Policy Statement

Any parent or carer who makes an application for transport support under the provisions set out in the local authority’s policy where that application is refused will have the right to have their case reviewed.

Stage 1

The parent or carer has 20 working days from receipt of the transport decision to make a written request for a review. The request should explain why the decision should be reviewed and include any personal or family circumstances and supporting evidence that should be considered. A Senior Officer of the local authority will review the original decision. Within 20 working days of receipt of the written request, the Council will send a detailed written notification of the outcome, including the reasons for the decision and information about how to request Stage 2 if the original decision is upheld.

Stage 2

The parent or carer has 20 working days from receipt of the Stage 1 written decision to make a written request for the case to proceed to Stage 2. Within 40 working days of receipt of the Stage 2 request, an appeal panel will consider the written and verbal representations from the parent or carer and the officers involved in the case. A detailed written notification of the outcome will be sent within 5 working days of the panel meeting, including the decision reached and the reasons for that decision.

The procedure for hearing the appeals shall be as follows:

1. Local authority representative to give evidence on the authority’s decision.
2. Panel to ask questions of the local authority representative.
3. Parent or carers to ask questions of the local authority representative.
4. Parent or carers to give evidence in support of their appeal.
5. Local authority representative to ask questions of parent or carers.
6. Panel to ask questions of parent or carers.
7. Summing up by local authority representative.
8. Summing up by parent or carers.
9. Local authority representative and parent or carers to retire.
10. Panel decision.
11. Decision to be sent in writing to parent or carers.

Notification of the decision made at the review will be sent to the parent or carers in writing giving a reason for the decision.

Nothing in this review procedure prevents parent or carers making a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Also see

• Transport to school or college
• Schools and education
• School bus pass