Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children and Adults Services

The Director of Children and Adult Services submitted a report (previously circulated) on plans to consult on the introduction of a SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) Travel Assistance Policy.

The submitted report advised that the Travel Assistance Policy would provide an opportunity to offer a more flexible range of travel options to families of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and for the children and young people an opportunity to develop independent travel skills.

It was reported that the Council has a statutory responsibility to assist eligible children and young people of statutory school age to travel to school.  Transport assistance is currently allocated at the point a pupil become in receipt of an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).  The mode of travel assistance is commonly in the form of door to door minibus or taxi.

The consultation on the proposed changes was currently being undertaken and will conclude on 28 November 2018.

Members agreed that they would endeavour to attend the consultation events arranged and to meet thereafter to discuss a Scrutiny response to the proposed Travel Assistance Policy.

RESOLVED – That the report and consultation on the Travel Assistance Policy be noted.