A consultation launched this week on proposed changes to Post-16 Home to School Transport (HTST) for young people, with a particular focus on those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

North Somerset Council is consulting from today (Monday 3 February) to Monday 17 March 2025 on proposed changes to its policy with the aim of designing a fair, sustainable, and supportive HTST service for families now and in the future.

Demand for the Post-16 HTST services has risen significantly over the last few years. The council aims to ensure resources are used fairly and efficiently whilst helping to promote independence and self-sufficiency for young people with SEND.

The Council has been working in partnership with schools, families, and young people to develop more sustainable travel solutions for its Post-16 young people, aiming to reduce reliance on contract services as the default choice. 

The offer focuses on supporting sustainable travel options such as public transport and personal travel allowances as well as Independent Travel Training. North Somerset Council will continue to consider alternative travel options for young people in exceptional circumstances and/or those with high needs.  

The consultation explores the most beneficial ways of travel for families and young people with possible options including bus or rail pass, demand responsive travel (ie WESTlink), wheeling or biking allowance, bespoke personal travel allowance and Vacant Seat Payment Scheme (VSPS). 

The council also wants to support young people’s move into adulthood by equipping them with essential life skills. The Post-16 SEND Policy is proposed to focus more on Independent Travel Training as a vital stepping stone into adulthood. Consultation questions explore whether this approach is beneficial for young people.

Distance to travel between home and post-16 provision doesn’t form part of the proposals. The travel options are the same regardless of journey length to ensure a consistent and fair approach across all. 

Anyone can reply to the consultation, but the council is particularly keen to hear from parents and carers of SEND students who are currently in, or about to enter, post-16 provision. 

We encourage everyone to complete the survey but particularly if you are a parent or carer of a young person with special educational needs and disabilities. We want to know how the proposed changes may impact your family, how we can improve sustainable and active travel options across North Somerset, how travel training can be effectively introduced and how we can support our most vulnerable young people in continuing to access education.

Cllr Hannah Young, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transport

We want to make sure that young people with SEND can travel from home to school fairly and sustainably now and in future. We’re working with schools, families, children and young people to ensure that travel arrangements promote greater independence and self-sufficiency based on each young person’s individual needs. We want them to have the necessary skills to travel around their community safely and support their transition to adulthood, employment and general well-being. Please make sure your voice is heard and take part in the consultation. All responses will be reviewed and will help shape the future of the service.

Cllr Catherine Gibbons, Executive Member for children’s services, families, and lifelong learning

Have your say by completing an online consultation at: Home to school post 16 travel consultation or by post responses to Home to School Transport Team, North Somerset Council, Castlewood, Tickenham Road, Clevedon, BS21 6FW. 

Alternatively, speak in person with our transport team at one of the following events: 

• Wednesday 5 February, 10am – 12pm – Baytree School Clevedon Campus
• Monday 10 February, 10am – 12pm – North Somerset Parent Carer Forum, St Andrew’s Clevedon (General Peer Support)
• Wednesday 12 February, 4pm – 6pm – Castlewood Office, North Somerset Council, BS21 6FW
• Tuesday 25 February, 6pm-8pm – Weston College, Hans Price Conference Centre attached to Knightstone Campus
• Wednesday 26 February, 3.15pm-5.15pm – Westhaven School
• Thursday 27 February, 6pm-8pm – North Somerset Parent Carer Forum, The Firs (Autism / ADHD)Monday 3 March, 7pm-9pm – North Somerset Parent Carer Forum Supported Online session
   

For more information about home to school transport, please visit n-somerset.gov.uk and search ‘Home to School Transport’.

Press release by North Somerset Council.