Agenda item

Report of the Director of Children's Services. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families.

Cabinet approval is required to undertake public consultation on the Haringey School Travel Assistance Policy for home to school transport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Families introduced the report which sought Cabinet approval to undertake public consultation on the Haringey School Travel Assistance Policy for home to school transport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The main improvements to the policy were outlined, including: detailed explanation of how home to school transport decisions were to be made, standardisation of disputes and appeals, ensuring that transport was sustainable, clarification of personal budgets and how they are calculated for transport support and exceptional circumstances where can be transport provided.

In response to questions from Cllr Hakata and Cllr Cawley – Harrison the following information was provided:

-       Regarding input of parents and carers to the strategy, it was noted that a parent and carer were involved in the stakeholder group for the development of this policy. At the outset, the service had written to all 608 parent /child households that received the service to get their views. An informal questionnaire was shared and 68 parents responded. The policy responded to various feedback received since September 2021.

-       Going forward, the Travel service were working with the Policy team to ensure the consultation on the policy was accessible as possible, promoted through SEND newsletter, and considered in existing consultation meetings at schools .

-       Noted that there were 20 children/ young people that do not have SEND or disabilities and received the service based on exceptional circumstances concerning their family circumstance. An example was provided.

-       Responding to a question on when exclusion from transport will be necessary, it was noted that the service will take into consideration potential impact on the safety of others within the transport. Over the last year , this issue was considered less than 10 times and had not resulted in exclusion. The focus was on better understanding the needs of the young person and on the few occasions that this was necessary alternative provision was provided for a limited time.

-       Due to complexities of children receiving this service , current covid measures remained in place , with staff wearing PPE and applying safety regulations. This would be reviewed in due course.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve a consultation on the proposed changes to the Haringey Travel Policy (2018-2020) (Appendix 5) now proposed to be referred to as School Travel Assistance Policy, Children & Young People up to 16 years of Age (Appendix 2) and Post-16 School Travel Assistance Policy (Appendix 3). The consultation to be for a period of 12 weeks from 9 May 2021 to 31 July 2022.

2.    To note that a report on the outcome of the consultation be brought back to Cabinet for a final decision on the proposed policy changes.

Reasons for decision

Local processes must have due regard to The Home to School Travel and Transport Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities July 2014 and Post 16 Transport and Travel Support to Education and Training Statutory Guidance 2019. Under the Act and the Guidance, the Council must consult widely with interested parties on any proposed changes to their home to school travel arrangements policy statements for children, young people and adult learners.

A key change is that the current School Travel Policy title has been amended to the ‘School Travel Assistance Policy (Children & Young People up to 16 years of Age)’ and ‘Post-16 School Travel Assistance Policy’

The main changes to the current policy are as follows:

a)    consideration of sustainability, focusing on the environment, emissions reduction, and  promotion of independent travel options.

b)    creating a specific policy for young people aged 16-25, including information about external travel support.

c)    introduction of behavioural standards for children and young people using transport  commissioned by the Local Authority.

d)    detailed explanation of the transport decision making process.

e)    standardisation of disputes and appeals process in accordance with statutory guidance.

f)     clarification regarding ‘personal travel budgets’ and how they are calculated.

g)    comprehensive application procedure and guidance.

h)    clarity around breakfast/ after school clubs and times when Haringey Council will provide transport.

i)     cut off deadlines for applications with exceptional circumstances included

j)     COVID-19 information in relation to home-school transport

These policy changes will need to be subject to full public consultation via an on-line consultation form published on the Haringey SEND Local Offer web site for a period of 12 weeks to ensure that families, schools and other parties have sufficient time to respond to the proposed changes.

The consultation will be promoted via the SEND Newsletter, Special Schools and Parent Carers Forum and ar range of other relevant networks within the education, health and care sector.

Alternative options considered

Not applicable.