Funding has been secured for the next academic year (2025/2026) that will see transport for hundreds of students who live more than three miles from their school or college provided and support will be offered to enable young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to attend post-16 learning.
Mainstream students will be supported with a travel grant of £362 per student plus contributions from the college/sixth form and parents/carers to enable them to travel between home and college or sixth form during term time.
Cllr Julie Reed, cabinet member for independent families and children, said: “We are committed to helping young people in North Lincolnshire access education and training opportunities to help them succeed and are the most generous local authority in the region.
“We have increased our allowances by 15% this year and we have updated the policies for mainstream students and students with special and additional needs to continue to support their needs and give families flexible travel options.
“Whilst we have a duty to facilitate attendance for students of sixth form age, we are not required to fully fund transport, however we recognise the importance and have decided to provide most of the funding for our students like we have done for many years.
“Keeping residents of all ages connected to communities is a key priority.”
The grant must be used for public transport where there is a public transport service operating. If there is no public transport service option, then it can be used flexibly for other transport options such as The Wheels to Education Scheme or own transport solutions.
The support for young people with SEND includes:
Independent travel training so that young people can access transport with their peers and develop skills for independence as adults
Direct assistance with transport where independent travel is not yet possible
An option for personal transport budget
The transport provision is designed to give students and families more choice and control, offering flexible options that suit individual needs.
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