Consultation on transport for over-16 SEND pupils

Families of students who are over 16 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are being asked for their views on changes to how school transport is paid for.

Cumberland Council said it currently provided free home to school transport to over-16s with SEND "largely irrespective of cost", often via minibus or taxi, despite not having a legal obligation to do so.

The Labour-led authority has launched a consultation on plans to introduce a financial contribution towards travel costs instead, based on the cost of a bus pass.

The council said it had spent about £1m taking over-16 SEND children to school in the last financial year and the authority needed to cut costs.

A council report said the majority of councils had moved away from providing free transport for most post-16 students due to financial pressures and "a growing emphasis on supporting young people to develop independence".

Current policy means children with SEND are either given a seat on an existing transport route or provided with dedicated transport for free.

Under new plans, families would instead receive a payment "equivalent to the cost of a pass on the public service network", which could be used to pay for public transport for the student, their own transport or fuel for family taking them.

This financial year, the cost was £1,140, but the authority said this would be reviewed every year.

It added where a seat is available on an existing route, a place would be provided for free and appropriate free transport may also still be provided on a case-by-case basis where there is "no alternative means of accessing education".

The council report said: "It is expected that in only a very small number of cases will the council contract dedicated transport for students of sixth form age."

Councillor Elaine Lynch, portfolio holder for lifelong learning, said she wanted young people with SEND to have "more choice and flexibility" in arranging their travel to education or training.

She said: "We recognise that reliable travel is especially important for families across a large rural area such as Cumberland.

"At the same time, rising demand and increasing costs mean the council faces significant financial challenges, so we need to consider how support can remain fair and sustainable."

Although a target saving was not set, the authority said if changes were introduced as proposed from next September, it could mean a saving of up to £623,000 for the next financial year and £986,000 the following one.

The council said currently it transported 429 students over the age of 16. Of them, 109 travelled on routes which were commissioned for over-16s only.

A report into the proposal said: "It is this group of students who would likely be most impacted by the change in policy being proposed.

"The others either travel on alternative, existing contracted routes, for example those with pre-16 pupils travelling to secondary schools, or on the public service network."

The consultation runs until 20 November and the council said no decision had yet been made and all feedback would be considered.

Online and in-person drop ins are due to be held before the deadline.

The details and the consultation are available on the council's website.

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