- Who qualifies for free school transport in Islington?
- SEND and Disability: how needs are assessed
- The 31 may 2026 deadline – Don’t miss it
- Families in temporary accommodation
- Tfl options for young people aged 16 and over
- What if your application is refused?
Who qualifies for free school transport in Islington?
Every year, Islington Council updates its Home to School Travel Assistance Policy, and the 2026–27 version carries on the same core principle: children and young people should be able to get to school, and where that is genuinely difficult, the council has a legal duty to help.
Free travel assistance is generally available when a child lives beyond the statutory walking distance from their school – 2 miles for children under 8, 3 miles for those aged 8 and over – and cannot reasonably be expected to make that journey on foot. The policy also covers situations where a child’s route to school is unsafe, regardless of distance. Where a suitable free travel option already exists, such as a TfL pass, the council will normally point families towards that first.
Islington expects children and young people to attend their nearest suitable school. Transport is assessed on that basis, so if a family has chosen a school further away than the closest available option, that can affect eligibility.
SEND and Disability: How needs are assessed
This is where the policy gets particularly important for many Islington families. A child can qualify for transport support even if they live within the standard walking distance, provided their Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND), mobility difficulties, or a temporary medical condition means they genuinely cannot be expected to walk.
Applications are assessed on an individual basis. Assessors look at how a child’s specific SEND or disability affects their ability to travel, whether they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), and what arrangements are already in place. There is no one-size-fits-all answer here – each case is looked at on its own merits.
Families who have an EHCP in place should note that transport arrangements will be considered in line with what is set out in that plan. If you are unsure whether your child qualifies, the SEN Transport team at Islington Council is the right starting point.
The 31 May 2026 Deadline – Don’t Miss It
If your child currently receives travel assistance, you need to reapply – it is not automatically renewed. Islington has set a deadline of 31 May 2026 for reapplications. Submit by that date and, if transport is agreed, it will be ready for the start of the autumn term in September.
Applications received after 31 May cannot be guaranteed to be set up in time. In practise, that could mean waiting until the autumn half-term before any arrangement is in place – which is a long time if your child starts a new school or college in September.
If you need a paper copy of the application form, you can request one by emailing sentransport@islington.gov.uk
Families in Temporary Accommodation
The policy includes specific rules for families placed in temporary accommodation by Islington Council, whether inside or outside the borough.
Families placed outside Islington can apply to the council for transport help if they have a confirmed duty to be rehoused in Islington and the placement is expected to last less than three months. Placements lasting longer than three months are handled differently – families are either encouraged to apply for a local school closer to where they are living, or to apply for transport assistance from the council in the area where they are currently placed.
Families in temporary accommodation within Islington follow a similar process, with eligibility linked to the length of the placement and whether responsibility for the EHCP or school admissions has transferred to Islington.
What If Your Application Is Refused?
If Islington turns down a transport application, there is an appeals process. The first stage is a case review carried out by a senior officer. If that does not resolve the matter, families can request a second stage review by an independent panel. As a final option, complaints can be taken to the Local Government Ombudsman.
If you are going through this process, it is worth keeping notes of all correspondence and making sure you have any professional evidence of your child’s SEND needs in writing.
For more information on Islington’s Home to School Travel Assistance Policy 2026–27, visit the Find Your Islington directory or contact the SEN Transport team directly at sentransport@islington.gov.uk
Find more details here.
How Jimac Cars Supports SEND Families
Navigating school transport – the applications, the deadlines, the assessments – takes real effort. And even once a transport arrangement is in place, families with children with SEND often need a reliable private option they can count on, whether that is for days when council transport falls through, medical appointments, or trips to specialist provision.
Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND needs, making every journey easier and stress-free.
