THE city council says a new round of consultation will be carried out on proposals to end funding for school transport for young people aged 16 and over who have special educational needs and disability (SEND).
The consultation will cover SEND transport for children of all ages, not just the post-16 element. The council is required to provide transport for children with SEND who are under 16 years of age, but not for those over 16.
Funding for post-16 transport was due to end in July this year, following a consultation that took place two years ago.
Some parents have raised concerns about the consultation process and said they were not made aware of the proposals at the time.
The consultation will ask for comments on a revised policy and how it will impact parents and children.
There are no proposals to change the funding arrangements for children under 16.
Deputy city mayor, Cllr Sarah Russell said: ““The council’s financial situation has not changed. We have a shortfall of more than £60 million in this year’s budget, so we do need to continue to review all services we are not legally required to provide.
“However, following meetings with parents that I and fellow councillors have been having over recent weeks, and having taken new legal advice on the process, I have asked officers to carry out a fresh round of consultation on these proposals.
“This means funding for transport will not end in July, and if future changes are made, the timing would be announced in any formal decision we would make during the 2024/2025 academic year.”
Laurence Jones, the council’s strategic director of social care and education said: “As a relatively new director I would like to take this opportunity to review our overall policy for SEND transport. This means we will be contacting parents and carers of all children with a special educational needs disability who are currently receiving our assistance with transport.
“The consultation is still being drafted, but is planned to run from early June to the start of the school holidays in July, and I urge all parents, carers and young people to take this opportunity to have their say.”
Like other authorities across the country, the council says that years of Government funding cuts mean it is having to look at all services it’s not legally required to provide.
The majority of the council’s budget is spent on children’s and adult’s social care which are legally required services.
Once published, the consultation will be available on the council’s website here: Leicester City Council - Citizen Space