South Gloucestershire Council has launched a public consultation on proposed changes to post-16 home-to-school transport services for young people with an Education Health and Care Plan (ECHP).
The consultation, which is a key part of the council’s 2023/24 budget review process, seeks feedback on a proposal to switch from direct transport provision to an expenses-based model for eligible students attending post-16 settings or colleges.
The council currently provides discretionary transport support for young people who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). This includes services such as council-organised taxis or minibuses, as well as mileage expenses for families who arrange their own transport. Most councils do not offer support with home to school transport post the age of 16. However, South Gloucestershire Council says it has always tried to support the most vulnerable people in the community.
Rising costs have made the continued provision of these services increasingly unsustainable. Over the past four years, the cost to the council of providing this discretionary support has increased by 51 per cent, with further increases expected in the coming years. The council needs to ensure that all services, including discretionary transport support, are sustainable and delivered efficiently.
In response, the council is considering switching focus to a more sustainable, expenses-based model, where families would receive a fixed mileage rate to arrange transport themselves.
Key proposals include:
• The expenses-based model (which is already an option for families) becomes the preferred option for those post-16 students eligible for additional travel support, starting from the intake beginning in September 2025.
• Families would take over responsibility for arranging how young people will get to school/college. They are supported with expenses paid at the standard HMRC expenses rate for cars/vans.
While the council must reduce costs, it is committed to minimising and mitigating any negative impacts on young people and their families. The consultation process has been designed to gather valuable feedback from the community, especially from those directly affected, to ensure that any changes made are fair, equitable, and in the best interests of the young people involved.
Councillor Ian Boulton, cabinet member with responsibility for schools at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We understand that any change to these essential services can be challenging for families. That’s why we are seeking the views of our residents to help us shape a solution that balances the need for financial sustainability with our commitment to supporting our most vulnerable young people.”
The consultation is open to all residents, with particular emphasis on gathering input from families of children and young people with SEND, education professionals, and local stakeholders. The council is particularly interested in understanding the potential impact of the proposed changes on young people and their families.
Participants are invited to share their views through an online survey, available on the South Gloucestershire Council consultation website at: https://schooltransport.commonplace.is, or by completing a paper version, available from the Council’s libraries or One Stop Shops.
Students currently in post-16 education will not be affected by the proposed changes if they are implemented. Following the consultation, the council will review all feedback and consider any necessary adjustments to the proposed changes. A final decision will be made in early 2025, with the new model set to be implemented for students entering post-16 education or training from September 2025.
