PEOPLE are being asked for their views on council proposals to end school transport funding for young people aged 16 and over who have special educational needs and disability (SEND).
The council currently spends more than £4 million a year on the transport costs of around 500 young people with SEND.
Funding had been due to end in July 2024, following a consultation that took place two years ago. However, after concerns were raised by some parents about the process, the council announced that funding would continue for the 2024/2025 academic year, and a new consultation would take place.
Launched today (7 November) the new consultation asks for views on a revised SEND transport policy, and how it will impact parents and children.
The proposed new policy includes the general withdrawal of support for post-16 transport for the academic year 2025/26. It also sets out in detail where exceptions will be made to this.
Cllr Elaine Pantling, asst city mayor for education and SEND said: “It’s important that we hear the views of all those who would be affected by this proposal.
"We are writing directly to parents and carers to encourage them to take part in the consultation, and also talking to schools and local groups such as the Parent Carer Forum and the Big Mouth Forum, which is made up of young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
“I would urge anyone with a view to look at our online consultation and to have their say.”
The council’s budget is in crisis due to years of government austerity, rising costs of adult social care, more children being looked after by the council and an increase in homeless families. The council is expecting a substantial gap between its spending and its income in 2025/26, and needs to take all the opportunities it can to reduce cost.
The council is not required to provide post-16 school SEND transport, and receives no funding from the Government to do so.
The consultation will run until 2 January and can be found on the council’s website.