Travel assistance
Targeted Transport Programme
We aim to ensure that targeted travel assistance solutions for children, young people and adults, including those with additional needs, are integrated and sustainable.
We currently provide and/or commission the following targeted transport services:
- Home to School Transport - for eligible mainstream and SEND pupils (primary, secondary and post-16) in line with statutory obligations
- Adult Social Care - to ensure that statutory care needs can be met
- Children’s Social Care - where transport is required to support or care services
- Community Transport - which provides door-to-door journeys for people unable to use public transport due to mobility or other difficulties, or because ordinary public transport or other services have been withdrawn from their area
We need to ensure that we can respond appropriately and meet our statutory duties to provide travel assistance that is integrated and sustainable. Part of providing this service will be aiming for consistency for all people accessing our services.
What are we doing?
The travel assistance allocated to those accessing our services is reviewed periodically, in line with the current policies.
We are currently undertaking a review of the travel assistance provided which involves targeted contact to discuss current travel assistance arrangements. This will ensure that those accessing our services are receiving the most appropriate provision that meets their needs and enables independence, while being sustainable.
A phased approach is being used for people being contacted as follows:
- Phase 1 - targeted conversations are in progress with individuals who may benefit from Independent Travel Training and the opportunities this offers
- Phase 2 - contact has started with parents/carers of mainstream pupils to make them aware of the existing optional cash grant scheme available
- Phase 3 - broader engagement is planned with parent/carers and those accessing our services where we believe there may be opportunities to provide more sustainable options that enable independence, whilst making sure that we are still providing travel assistance that is right for them
We aim to provide consistency in the allocation of travel assistance for those accessing our services, but travel assistance arrangements may be subject to change at any time.
Further information
Our aim is to ensure that we can continue to meet statutory duties in providing travel assistance that is integrated, suitable and sustainable. Part of providing this service will be aiming for consistency in how travel assistance is allocated for children and young people, especially for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). We aim to ensure that all adults and children and young people are being allocated suitable and sustainable provision to meet their needs and encourage and support independence.
It's important to note, there is no change to our policies around travel assistance. This is about looking at how we can deliver travel support that’s sustainable whilst managing the escalating costs of this service to protect those who are most in need of our help.
We are experiencing significant pressures across all of our services due to growing demand and rising costs. In 2023, it was estimated that the spend on Home to School Transport services alone would grow by £10.4m by 2028.
We have statutory duties to balance our budget and continue to deliver statutory services within the resources we have available. We have a duty to fully consider how we can continue to deliver statutory services and ensure that the services are sustainable into the future.
If we did nothing, then the rising costs associated with travel assistance could have a crippling effect on the other services we must deliver by law.
It is important to note that this is about providing the most appropriate travel assistance that meets the needs of individuals whilst enabling independence where possible, in line with current practice.
This is not a reduction in what we provide or in quality, we are introducing new forms of travel assistance support. We will provide suitable travel assistance for eligible adults, young people and children.
If an alternative travel assistance option has been identified for you, we will discuss this with you in advance of any potential change.
The travel assistance allocated to people using the service is already reviewed periodically, in line with current practice, to ensure that those accessing our services are being allocated suitable and sustainable provision. Sometimes, this may result a change to the travel assistance that people receive.
We aim to provide consistent travel assistance arrangements, but this may be subject to change at any time. If an alternative travel assistance option has been identified for you, we will discuss this with you in advance of any potential change.
