St Helens Borough Council is reviewing and consulting on its home to school/college transport policy for children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities). More information can be found here.
Engagement with young people with special educational needs in St Helens confirmed they value independence highly, the ability to travel independently is important to them to attend school, participate in community life and socialise with friends.
We aim to increase the independence of children and young people with SEND and hope that changes we make, will enable some of them to achieve greater levels of independence, and the skills and abilities which will help their transition to adulthood.
The council has a statutory duty to provide assistance with home to school transport for all eligible children and young people with SEND. As a result of funding reductions from central government coupled with increased costs and expenditure it is necessary for the council to review all its spending including the SEND home to school transport.
We want to ensure our children and young people can access education. The council is expanding its provision within our Special Schools and enlarging facilities in mainstream schools to expand the availability of SEND provision within the borough. This will assist in reducing the number of children and young people who must travel long distances to school.
We hope many children and young people, parents and carers, professionals in schools, colleges, the voluntary sector and social care, and residents in our communities will take part in this consultation and give feedback on our proposals, as well as new ideas and suggestions.
The outcomes of the consultation will inform a number recommendations which will be presented to the Council’s Cabinet for approval and to inform a revised SEND Home to School Transport Policy.
The survey will close on Friday 15 December, 5pm.