- Why the May 31 deadline matters
- Hackney: two routes, one deadline
- Islington: strict deadlines, even during appeals
- Camden: know the independent travel training policy
- Haringey: personal travel budgets are on the rise
- Waltham forest: use the updated portal
- Hammersmith & Fulham: ask about short breaks transport
- How to make sure your child’s journey is ready for September
Why the May 31 Deadline Matters
For most London boroughs, 31 May 2026 is the cut-off for SEND home-to-school transport applications for the 2026/27 academic year. Miss it, and councils move applications to a “best endeavours” basis – which in practise means transport may not be arranged before September, or at all.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and is starting a new school or college placement in September, getting your application in well before the deadline gives the borough’s transport team time to assess, assign, and confirm a route. The boroughs covered in this guide each handle the process slightly differently, and those differences are worth knowing about.
Hackney: Two Routes, One Deadline
Hackney’s deadline is 31 May 2026. The process splits depending on your child’s situation: mainstream pupils apply using the Pupil Benefits form, while children with an EHCP are handled directly by the SEND Transport Team.
If your child has an EHCP, contact the SEND Transport Team rather than submitting a standard school travel form – the two processes are separate and submitting through the wrong channel can cause delays.
Official source: Hackney Education — School Travel Assistance
Islington: Strict Deadlines, Even During Appeals
Islington’s deadline is also 31 May 2026, and the council is firm about it. Applications go through a Transport Assessment Panel that reviews complex medical and educational needs – and that panel needs time to work through cases properly before September.
One thing worth flagging for Islington families currently in a school place appeal: the appeal deadline is 22 May 2026. Even if your appeal is ongoing, you still need to apply for transport for your offered school by 31 May. Waiting for the appeal outcome before applying for transport is a common mistake that can leave families without a confirmed arrangement for September.
Official source: Islington Council — Help with School Transport
Camden: Know the Independent Travel Training Policy
Camden’s deadline falls in early June 2026 – typically within the first week of the month. It is slightly later than some neighbouring boroughs, but do not let that create a false sense of time.
The thing Camden families most need to be aware of is Independent Travel Training (ITT). Camden actively promotes ITT for secondary-aged students, and if a young person is assessed as suitable for the programme, a taxi or minibus offer can be withdrawn in favour of travel training support instead. If your child’s needs mean that ITT is not appropriate, it is worth setting that out clearly when you apply and providing any supporting evidence from school or a professional.
Official source: Camden Council — Help with Transport to School
Haringey: Personal Travel Budgets Are on the Rise
Haringey’s deadline is 31 May 2026. The more significant development for 2026/27 is the borough’s increased push towards Personal Travel Budgets (PTBs).
Rather than arranging council-contracted transport directly, some families in Haringey are being offered a PTB — a direct payment they can use to organise their child’s transport themselves. This gives families more flexibility in choosing their provider. For families in Haringey who are offered a PTB, Jimac Cars can work directly with you to arrange consistent, reliable transport using those funds.
Official source: Haringey Council — School Under-16 Travel Assistance
Waltham Forest: Use the Updated Portal
Waltham Forest’s deadline is 31 May 2026. Families applying this year should be aware that the council’s online application portal was updated on 24–25 March 2026. If you previously bookmarked or saved the old form, it may no longer be current.
Before submitting, go back to the official Waltham Forest SEND Travel Assistance page to make sure you are using the refreshed 2026/27 digital form. Submitting through an outdated version of the form could delay your application being processed.
Official source: Waltham Forest — SEND Travel Assistance
Hammersmith & Fulham: Ask About Short Breaks Transport
LBHF’s deadline is 31 May 2026. One thing family in this borough may not realise is that the council’s transport team works alongside the Short Breaks service. If your child receives transport to school through the council, they may also be eligible for transport to after-school clubs or Short Breaks activities.
It is worth asking about this when you apply or when transport arrangements are being confirmed – it is not always offered proactively, but it can make a real practical difference to families.
Official source: LBHF — Travel Support for Children with SEND
How to Make Sure Your Child’s Journey Is Ready for September
Across all six boroughs, the pattern is the same: applications submitted before the deadline give families the best chance of having a confirmed transport arrangement in place before the school year starts. Routes are typically finalised by councils in late July, so the earlier your application is in, the smoother that process tends to be.
If you are in a borough offering Personal Travel Budgets, or if your council’s arrangement does not cover everything your child needs, Jimac Cars can step in. We work with families across London — including those using PTB funding – to provide consistent, safe, and reliable SEND transport all year round.
Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND needs, making every journey easier and stress-free. Jimac Cars supports SEND families across London with dedicated transport for school runs, college placements, therapy appointments, and community activities. Get in touch to discuss how we can help your family for September 2026.
