Issue - meetings

SEND TRANSPORT REVIEW

Meeting: 29/06/2022 - Executive (Item 18)

18 TRANSFORMING SEN TRANSPORT - SUPPORTING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IN INNOVATIVE AND COST-EFFECTIVE WAYS pdf icon PDF 748 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(1) The draft transport policy be agreed for public consultation and the proposed transport initiatives recommended for progression in the report be endorsed.

 

(2) The introduction of Personal Transport Budgets and revisions to the mileage payment scheme be agreed.

 

(3) The development of the Independent Travel Training Service be endorsed.

 

(4) The retention of existing discretionary transport support for children under statutory school age be agreed.

 

(5) The introduction of a vacant seat payment scheme where families who are not entitled to transport may purchase the use of available seats on a vehicle accessing their school where appropriate be agreed.

 

(6) The transformation efficiency gains outlined in this report, required to deliver the medium-term financial plan for the Council, be noted.

 

(7) Authority be delegated to the Director of Education to take a decision to implement the proposed policy changes in consultation with the Children, Education and Families Portfolio Holder following formal consultation and feedback relating to the proposed Transport Policy changes.

 

Minutes:

Report CEF22042

 

Following a review of SEN Transport operations in Bromley, officers proposed that the Council introduce changes to transport policy to enable a broader offer of support for families giving greater access to preferred schools, improved transport options and better flexibility in the service offer.

 

The report highlighted the potential benefits to children and families accessing SEN transport support whilst developing a culture of supported self-help, placing children and families at the centre of policy developments and helping young adults to develop independence. It sought agreement to introduce demand management initiatives, including personal transport budgets, independent travel training and maximising flexible approaches to procurement and transport delivery options that will improve the lives of young people accessing services, introduce efficiencies and improve consistency of service offers.

 

The Executive was invited to approve amendments to existing transport support measures, where this may deliver cost reductions or where existing arrangements may inhibit access to proposed initiatives.

 

The report introduced a rationale for the necessary updating of Transport Policies last reviewed in 2014 and introduced revised policy proposals that aligned with the latest legislative changes and Government guidance.

 

The report sought agreement to a public consultation on the proposed Transport Policies to be undertaken in the coming weeks and sought delegated authority for a decision to be taken by the Director of Education in consultation with the Portfolio Holder pending the outcome of the consultation due to run until September 2022.

 

The report had been scrutinised by the Children, Education and Families PDS Committee at its meeting on 28th June and the Committee had supported the recommendations.

 

RESOLVED that

 

(1) The draft transport policy be agreed for public consultation and the proposed transport initiatives recommended for progression in the report be endorsed.

 

(2) The introduction of Personal Transport Budgets and revisions to the mileage payment scheme be agreed.

 

(3) The development of the Independent Travel Training Service be endorsed.

 

(4) The retention of existing discretionary transport support for children under statutory school age be agreed.

 

(5) The introduction of a vacant seat payment scheme where families who are not entitled to transport may purchase the use of available seats on a vehicle accessing their school where appropriate be agreed.

 

(6) The transformation efficiency gains outlined in this report, required to deliver the medium-term financial plan for the Council, be noted.

 

(7) Authority be delegated to the Director of Education to take a decision to implement the proposed policy changes in consultation with the Children, Education and Families Portfolio Holder following formal consultation and feedback relating to the proposed Transport Policy changes.