You can have your say on the future of SEND travel around Notts
Residents across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to have their say on the future of travel assistance for 16 to 25-year-olds with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Tram operator NET took part in ‘try a tram’ and ‘try a bus’ days for SEND students. Photo: Submitted | Submitted
The consultation is open to everyone, with families, young people, education professionals and support organisations particularly encouraged to share their views.
Nottinghamshire County Council is reviewing the support available to help eligible young people with SEND travel to school or college under its Post-16 Transport Policy Statement to ensure that travel assistance continues to meet young people’s needs as demand grows and the cost of providing the service rises.
Coun Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “We know how important reliable transport is to young people with SEND and their families and recognise that the proposed changes may raise questions and concerns.
“Demand for support to get to school or college has grown significantly and costs are continuing to rise, so we have to find a fair and sustainable way to provide help in the future. This means carefully balancing the need to control how much we spend with our commitment to supporting young people, particularly those who need our help the most.
“We would like to reassure families, young people and schools that no decisions have been made at this stage. We want parents, carers and young people to share their experiences and tell us how the options could affect them, so we can listen, understand the impact and make a well-informed decision that protects essential support for the future.”
Over the past five years, the number of young people needing SEND travel support has almost doubled. The service currently costs £29 million a year and, if demand continues to grow, this is forecast to rise by a further £6 million within the next two years.
The eight-week consultation opens on 20 October. People can respond online, download a PDF copy from the county council’s website or request one at any Nottinghamshire library. An Easy Read version will also be available.
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