Content

9.1

The
Head of Service for Resourcing and Business Planning introduced the
item and gave a presentation which included information on home to
school travel options, original proposal, consultation feedback,
the revised proposal funding and the skills for life
programme.
 
The
report itself provided an update to committee following the open
consultation held in January 2025 on Post-16 Discretionary SEND
Home-to-School Travel Support. It outlined the key themes and
feedback received from a broad range of stakeholders, including
young people, parents and carers, education providers, and
professionals. In response, a revised proposal has been developed
which aims to deliver a more equitable, transparent, and
sustainable approach to supporting eligible learners. The report
also set out the council’s vision for promoting independence
in travel and sought the committee’s approval for the
proposed way forward.

 

 

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:
That
Education, Children and Families Policy
Committee:-
 
a.   
Personal Travel Budgets
(PTBs):

·      
For Existing Post-16 Students or Year 11 students
currently accessing SEN travel support: Personal Travel Budgets
(PTBs) will be introduced as an optional choice for this cohort.
Families will have the flexibility to either opt for PTBs or
transport. Independent Travel Training may also be offered if
appropriate.

·      
For students not currently accessing SEN travel
support who are now applying for Post-16 travel support (September
2025): PTBs will become the first offer for new Post-16 students
requiring home-to[1]school travel support, with alternative
transport options available where
necessary.

·      
Applications: Families will be provided with
detailed information about PTBs when applying for Post-16 travel
support.
b.   
Expansion of Independent Travel Training
(ITT):

·      
The Freedom to Travel – Skills for Life
programme will be further developed, expanding its scope to provide
enhanced independent travel training for Post-16 students with
SEND. This initiative aims to empower students to develop essential
travel skills, fostering greater
independence.

·      
Initially focusing on Post-16 students, there are
plans to extend this programme to younger age groups in the future,
promoting early acquisition of these vital
skills.

·      
Subject to funding, investment will be made in
hiring additional travel trainers (6-12 positions) to support the
expansion of this programme.
c.    
Increase in Fees for young people on Taxi and
Minibus Provision:

·      
A proposed increase in the fees for Post-16 taxi and
minibus users will be subject to
consultation.

·      
Future fee increases will be reviewed annually,
ensuring adjustments are based on a comprehensive evaluation of
current fee levels and the needs of the
service
 

9.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

9.3.1

We are recommending this decision
in response to the valuable feedback received during the January
2025 consultation and in recognition of the growing demand for
discretionary Post-16 SEND travel support. The revised proposal
seeks to offer a more flexible, equitable, and financially
sustainable approach, while remaining aligned with our wider vision
of supporting young people to travel as independently as possible.
By offering Personal Travel Budgets as a choice, expanding
independent travel training, and reviewing fee contributions, we
aim to provide a more tailored and transparent support offer. This
approach promotes greater independence, improves outcomes for young
people, and ensures that finite resources can be directed where
they are most needed, now and in the
future.

 

 

9.4

Alternatives Considered and
Rejected

 

 

9.4.1

Alternative
Option 1: Do Nothing.
 
Maintain the status
quo and continue with existing home to school travel offer
Maintaining the current arrangements is increasingly challenging
due to rising costs, which are placing growing pressure on the
Council’s budget. Continuing with the status quo is unlikely
to be financially sustainable in the long
term.
 
In addition to
financial considerations, there is a strong case for promoting
greater independence among young people with special educational
needs and disabilities (SEND). Evidence suggests that many young
people with SEND are not currently entering employment, education
or training (classified as NEET), and a lack of independent
mobility may be one of several contributing
factors.
 
 Improving access to transport and developing key
life skills—such as the ability to travel
independently—can play a vital role in enabling young people
with SEND to participate more fully in their communities, access
opportunities, and build confidence for adulthood. Supporting
greater independence is not only beneficial for the individual but
is also aligned with the Council’s broader ambitions for
inclusion, aspiration and long-term
wellbeing.

 

 

9.5.2

Alternative
Option 2:Implement the
current proposal to introduce PTBs as the default choice for
eligible Post-16 students.
 
Advantages of this option
include increased independence for young people with SEND, cost
avoidance over time, and reduced financial pressure on the
Council’s budget.
 
Disadvantages include possible
concerns that consultation feedback has not been fully addressed,
reduced scope for cost avoidance if uptake is limited, and a
potential impact on attendance and attainment for some
students.