Post-16 SEND student transport policy 2022-23

Independent Travel Training for learners who face difficulty with transport

The SEND Team is working with schools and colleges to promote independent travel training, so that students will ultimately be able to travel on their own. For some students, independent travel training would not be appropriate due to their complex needs, but where students have the potential to benefit from independent travel training it is expected that those students will take part in a programme.

A programme of support would aim to enable a young person to become an independent and safe traveller; as a result, it covers topics such as road safety, personal safety, journey planning and coping strategies.

If it is identified through a transport needs assessment that travel training would be an option for an individual student, this will be discussed with the young person, their family and the education provider to determine how a travel training programme will be implemented. A plan will be agreed where it is appropriate to begin a personalised programme of training to meet their needs.

If a young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), learning difficulties or disabilities, or medical needs, and is aged between 16 and 25 on 31 August 2022, they may be eligible for assistance with transport if they are unable to travel independently either by public transport or on foot to their post-16 education provision.

Young people with SEND may be eligible for transport assistance if they meet the following criteria:

• Live in North Lincolnshire
• Aged between 16 and 25 years on 31 August 2022
• Have an EHCP, learning difficulties or disabilities, or medical needs, and be unable to travel independently either by public transport or on foot to their post-16 education provision.
• Study a course of further education at a publicly funded institution within North Lincolnshire unless an out of county placement is funded by a public body such as the council or the Education and Skills Finding Agency (ESFA).
• Post 19 students must be attending courses funded by a public body such as the council or the Education and Skills Finding Agency (ESFA).
• The college and the funding body must support the young person’s attendance on the course and must have evidence that they will continue to make educational progress by undertaking the course.

A contribution of £90 per Academic year will be required towards the cost of the transport provided. This will be payable in 3 termly instalments of £30. An application for transport and a £30 payment will need to be made before the start of each term – failure to make a payment may result in transport being cancelled.

Young people commencing Post-16 provision who have an EHCP will have the name of the Post-16 setting that they will be attending named in that plan. Should a young person with an EHCP choose to attend a Post-16 institution other than that which is named in their EHCP, this may impact on the level of travel assistance that can be provided.

Young People with an EHCP have the right to request a personal budget for some or all of the provision. Transport costs could be considered as part of a personal budget if a young person is entitled to Post-16 travel assistance.

Should a young person not meet the SEND post-16 transport policy or is able to access public transport they should refer to the post-16 student transport policy to check their eligibility. They may also be entitled to free travel on public transport under the national scheme, which can be applied for on the council’s website following the “Do I qualify for a bus pass?”.

Young people aged 16-25 with a learning difficulty and/or disability may also be eligible for a Motability Allowance, depending on the nature of their primary need. Further information about the Motability Scheme is available at www.motability.co.uk

Transport needs for each young person are assessed on an individual basis. Transport is provided in the following way:

• Placed on an existing transport route
• New transport provision
• Personal transport budget or an agreed mileage claim.

Whichever best meets the young person’s needs and is cost effective to the council.

The SEND Post 16 Transport application form needs to be completed using the online form  or from the School Transport Office by calling 01724 297218 or emailing school.transport@northlincs.gov.uk. Payment of £30 is also due at the time of completing the form. If transport is refused, this £30 payment will be returned.

All applications are assessed and approved by the SEND Statutory Assessment Team. Please allow 15 working days for applications to be processed. This may increase during peak periods.

If a young person has an EHCP they may qualify for a Personal Transport Budget.

A Personal Transport Budget is funding which can be paid to families to help get a young person to school or college, rather than travelling on a vehicle contracted by North Lincolnshire Council.

A young person may be eligible for a Personal Transport Budget if they meet the eligibility criteria earlier in this document:

and:

• Are currently being transported on a single occupancy council transport route, or
• Need to be placed on a single occupancy route due to their identified SEND, or
• There is no existing transport route available, which would mean a new single occupancy council transport route would be required.

In making a decision, the council would have to be satisfied that:

• Any different arrangements would not meet the needs of the young person
• No additional costs would be incurred by the council.

A review of transport provision will be made annually. The nature of SEND transport means that arrangements have to be flexible, with pupils joining and leaving routes throughout the year, and we will do our best to communicate these changes to parents. Changes to operators are avoided where possible but are occasionally out of our control.

The council also has a legal obligation to review and re-tender transport contracts on a regular basis. However we will always try to communicate with parents prior to any changes being made – please ensure we have up to date contact details.

Any person wishing to make a formal complaint, or appeal a decision on transport should contact the School Transport Office by calling 01724 297218 or emailing school.transport@northlincs.gov.uk

It may be necessary to refer your complaint to the relevant provider or institution if the complaint is not something that the council can resolve.