To: EXECUTIVE MEMBER for CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & LEARNING
March 2021
EDUCATION TRANSPORT POLICY FOR POST 16 LEARNERS
Executive Director of People
1 Purpose of Report
1.1 The report seeks formal approval of the Post 16 Education Travel policy for the period 2021 -2022.
2 Recommendation
2.1 For the Executive Member to agree the Post 16 Education Transport Policy Statement 2021/22
3 Reasons for Recommendation
3.1 To ensure compliance with statutory requirements to publish a compliant Post 16 travel policy.
3.2 There are no changes to the policy from the last academic year apart from amendments to aid clarity and a 2% increase to travel contributions.
4 Alternative Options Considered
4.1 No alternative option was considered.
5 Supporting Information
5.1 Local Authorities are required to publish transport statements each year setting out the travel arrangements they will make to support young people of sixth form age and adults aged 19 and over (including those with an Education, Health and Care plan) in education and training.
5.2 This policy is compliant with DfE statutory guidance on Post 16 education transport (published January 2019). It requires that LA’s assist as many Post 16 learners with an opportunity to take advantage of Post 16 education by facilitating their travel arrangements: particularly those on low incomes and those with disabilities.
5.3 The Home to School Travel Policy for Bracknell Forest children aged 5-16 (formerly the Mainstream Travel Policy) has already been published.
Financial Implications
The decision report in 2020, for the first implementation of a post 16 education travel policy that complied with DfE Post-16 transport and travel support to education and training - January 2019, reported a potential budget pressure of £53K. It is unlikely that this pressure will materialise. It is unknown if this is a direct result of COVID 19, but it should be considered as a contributory factor.
5.4 The table below shows the current numbers of students with EHC plans, who will most likely move forward into and through Post 16 entitlement with and may be entitled to transport assistance in accordance with this policy. Numbers of children and young people being issued with EHC plans continue to rise. The total number of Bracknell Forest EHC plans have increased 16% from 2020 to 2021. It remains highly likely that the numbers in Years 15-20 will be those with the most complex SEN and for whom it will be necessary to make travel arrangements to enable them to access their education. The table indicates the level of demand which the Council may face in the years ahead.
5.5 Not all of these students will require transport as eligibility is needs driven; therefore it is difficult to quantify an accurate anticipated budget pressure; however, as the country moves out of the COVID 19 crisis, transport requirements may increase again in line with the 16% rise in EHC plans; therefore, based on that level of demand a budget pressure of £50K may be anticipated.
|
Borough Schools |
Special School / PRU |
Out of Borough Schools / Colleges |
Bracknell Colleges |
Totals |
|
|
11 (moving to Post 16 in September) |
33 |
19 |
33 |
0 |
85 |
|
12(16-17) |
13 |
10 |
22 |
12 |
57 |
|
13(17-18) |
7 |
7 |
30 |
17 |
61 |
|
14(18-19) |
0 |
4 |
19 |
20 |
43 |
|
15(19-20) |
0 |
0 |
10 |
18 |
38 |
|
16(20-21) |
0 |
0 |
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
17(21-22) |
0 |
0 |
9 |
8 |
17 |
|
18(22-23) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
19(23-24) |
0 |
0 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
|
20(24-25) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
TOTALS |
53 |
40 |
136 |
90 |
319 |
6 Consultation and Other Considerations
Legal Advice
6.1 The relevant legal provisions are contained within the body of the report
Financial Advice
6.2 There could be a budget pressure within the Home to School Transport function if the number of students being issued ECHP’s increases along the current trajectory. Assuming a 16% increase, the predicted budget pressure in 21/22 is £0.050m. This overspend is expected to rise year on year in line with increasing SEN numbers. There is no capacity within the existing budget to absorb these additional costs and as such it will need to be reported within the year as a budget pressure and included within the annual budget setting process for future years.
Other Consultation Responses
6.3 As there are no substantive changes there is no requirement to consult on the policy.
Equalities Impact Assessment
6.4 Equality Impact Assessment attached at Annex 2 of this report.
Strategic Risk Management Issues
6.5 There are no strategic risk management issues related to this policy.
Background Papers
DfE Post-16 transport and travel support to education and training - January 2019
Contact for further information
Matt Howlett, Customer Experience - 01344 355157
Matt.howlett@bracknell-forest.gov.uk
Denise Lowther-Pope, SEN Consultant 01344 354079
Denise.lowther-Pope@bracknell-forest.gov.uk