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:
Views sought on Temple Cloud Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme
Views sought on Temple Cloud Liveable Neighbourhoods scheme
Residents in Temple Cloud are being asked to share their views on proposals to reduce the speed of traffic through the village and encourage active travel.
Chance to win £50 with North Somerset Council's 2025 Transport and Travel Survey
Chance to win £50 with North Somerset Council's 2025 Transport and Travel Survey
North Somerset Council is inviting everyone who lives, works, or studies in, or regularly visits the area to take part in a new Transport and Travel Survey this summer.
West to deliver new walking, wheeling and cycling routes, including a more active school run
West to deliver new walking, wheeling and cycling routes, including a more active school run
Helen Godwin, the new Mayor of the West of England, has today joined a coalition of eleven of England’s regional Mayors to sign up to an ambitious joint statement pledging to create a new national walking, wheeling and cycling network, enabling millions more happy, healthy and green journeys.
Final comments sought on Sydney Road through-traffic restriction
Final comments sought on Sydney Road through-traffic restriction
Bath & North East Somerset Council is proposing to make permanent a through traffic restriction in Sydney Road, Bath following a six-month experimental trial.
Whiteladies Road to close northbound for flood prevention works
Whiteladies Road to close northbound for flood prevention works
Construction work, to prevent flooding and improve walking and cycling routes on a stretch of Whiteladies Road between its junctions with Tyndalls Park Road/St Pauls Road and Queens Road, will start on Monday 14 July 2025.