Home to School Transport

Students who currently receive Havering travel assistance and have had no significant changes in their circumstances can complete our 'Renew travel assistance' form below.

Renew your Travel Assistance (Opens in new tab) 

Significant changes include things such as:

• change of school
• change of home address
• change of healthcare needs

Students who have not applied before and meet the eligibility criteria must complete the 'Apply for travel assistance' form below.

Apply for Travel Assistance (Opens in new tab)

What happens next? 

We will look at your application and will email you the decision. We aim to process all applications within 15 working days. 

Apply by Friday 15 May 2026 

Please apply as soon as you can. If we do not receive an application by this date, we will think the student no longer needs travel assistance for the next academic year. 

Should you have any questions relating to the travel assistance application and eligibility, or to update your personal information, please email cadtransport@havering.gov.uk.

If a student is eligible, we may offer one of the following: 

• Travel Training: A free programme that helps young people learn how to travel on their own safely and confidently. 

• Personal Transport Budget (PTB): Money to help with travel costs or fuel. 

• Seat on a Vehicle: A place on a school transport vehicle. Pickup may be from a meeting point or from your home. 

We can give travel help to: 

• Students aged 5 to 16 who are eligible 

• Sometimes, students over 16 with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) 

• In special cases, children under 5 

 We look at: 

• How the student’s special educational needs or disabilities affect their travel 

• How mobility needs affect the student or parent 

• How far the school/college is from home 

• Whether the walking route is safe 

• Household income 

 We also think about: 

• The student’s age 

• Whether the student needs specialist transport 

• Whether the student needs supervision 

• What other travel options they may have 

• Whether a parent or guardian can reasonably accompany them 

• Whether the student can use public transport or travel cards 

We do not provide travel assistance if a student does not go to the nearest suitable qualifying school. 

Before applying, it’s good to know the following.

• It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to ensure that their children attend school regularly
• Students who are able to travel safely independently, or with the support of a parent, guardian or other appropriate person, are encouraged to do so
• Free travel on public transport is encouraged wherever possible
• All alternative options are explored before travel assistance is provided
• Students who require travel assistance are offered the most independent and personally enabling solution
• The type of travel assistance offered is the most effective, efficient and sustainable in terms of cost

It may also be useful to have the following information ready:

• Emergency contact details ready
• The students' health and medical information
• Your school's postcode

Before you apply, please review the policy's criteria. You can find the document in the downloads section on this page. 

Click the link below to access the application form.

Apply for Travel Assistance (Opens in new tab) 

Should you have any questions regarding your travel assistance application or eligibility, please email cadtransport@havering.gov.uk.

If you are not happy with the home to school/college travel support we have offered your child, or we have refused your application, you have a right to appeal.

Appeals must be submitted within 20 working days of the date on which you were notified of the original travel support decision.

Appeal a travel assistance decision (Opens in new tab)

You should hear back within 40 working days.