Hampshire parents and carers are being urged to apply now for school and post-16 transport for September 2026, with key deadlines approaching.
Applications are currently open for eligible primary and secondary-aged children attending mainstream schools without special educational needs and disabilities, known as SEND. The deadline for those applications is 31 May.
For primary and secondary-aged children with SEND, and eligible post-16 students with SEND, the deadline is 30 June.
Hampshire County Council is advising families to check whether they need to apply and to submit applications as soon as possible if they believe they are eligible.
Applying on time allows eligibility to be assessed and arrangements to be made before the new school year begins.
Families whose school-age children already receive transport only need to reapply if the child’s school or home address has changed, or if transport was previously granted for a fixed period of time.
The council offers free school transport for children of compulsory school age who meet national eligibility criteria.
Post-16 transport is a discretionary and chargeable service for young people with SEND from low-income families who are unable to access further education or training without travel assistance. Applications are only approved where there is clear evidence that no one else in the household can provide transport.
Families applying for post-16 transport should note that a new application is required every year, even if transport has been provided before.
Those who apply on time can expect a decision within 10 working days. Transport details for approved applications will be confirmed by email in late August.
Applications submitted after the relevant deadline will be treated as late and assessed only once all on-time applications have been processed.
The council says this could mean transport is not available at the start of September and may not be in place until later in the autumn term.
Late applications for children with SEND will still be treated as on time if their Education, Health and Care Plan is finalised after the deadline.
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