Decision details

SEND Post-16 Transport: Proposed Policies

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Decision Maker: Assistant City Mayor - Children and Young People

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

To seek approval to new policies for the provision of transport assistance to children and young people in education or training. In certain important respects, the new policies make significant changes to the current policies, by reducing the level of support that will be provided to young people and adults (aged 16 to 25) who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Decision:

Please Note: This decision was Called-In under Rule 12 of Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution. The Call-In was considered by the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission at its meeting on 22 May 2025 where it was withdrawn by resolution of the Commission in accordance with Rule 12 (g) of Part 4D of the Council’s Constitution. The original decision taken on 13 may 2025 is, therefore, deemed to be revived in its entirety.

To:

• approve the new SEND travel policy for the 2025/26 and subsequent academic years

• approve the new post-16 transport policy statement for the 2025/26 academic year

Reasons for the decision:

By law, support available to the 16 to 25 age group must be set out in a transport policy statement. There is a statutory duty to publish this statement by 31 May 2025. Small changes are also required for the SEND travel policy to support the statement.

Alternative options:

• To publish an unchanged transport statement

• To publish a transport statement with minimal change but not providing the level of saving required

• To cease all travel support for post-16 SEND

• To provide limited support for post-16 without transitionary arrangements

Publication date: 02/05/2025

Date of decision: 13/05/2025

Effective from: 21/05/2025

This decision has been called in by:

Councillor Stephen Bonham who writes The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission meeting on 25/02/25 had expressed concerns about the proposals contained within the SEND Post-16 Transport draft policy, this debate led to several recommendations. We feel that this is such an important policy it requires scrutiny oversight in its revised form ahead of a formal decision by the Executive."
Councillor Melissa March who writes The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission meeting on 25/02/25 had expressed concerns about the proposals contained within the SEND Post-16 Transport draft policy, this debate led to several recommendations. We feel that this is such an important policy it requires scrutiny oversight in its revised form ahead of a formal decision by the Executive."
Councillor Dr Lynn Moore who writes The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission meeting on 25/02/25 had expressed concerns about the proposals contained within the SEND Post-16 Transport draft policy, this debate led to several recommendations. We feel that this is such an important policy it requires scrutiny oversight in its revised form ahead of a formal decision by the Executive."
Councillor Yasmin Surti who writes The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission meeting on 25/02/25 had expressed concerns about the proposals contained within the SEND Post-16 Transport draft policy, this debate led to several recommendations. We feel that this is such an important policy it requires scrutiny oversight in its revised form ahead of a formal decision by the Executive."
Councillor George Cole who writes The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission meeting on 25/02/25 had expressed concerns about the proposals contained within the SEND Post-16 Transport draft policy, this debate led to several recommendations. We feel that this is such an important policy it requires scrutiny oversight in its revised form ahead of a formal decision by the Executive."

Accompanying Documents: