Agenda item

The Sub-Committee will receive a report on the issues in respect of the provision of Transport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Havering.

The Sub-Committee received a report setting out the progress to date in addressing issues in the Havering Special Educational Need and Disability Transport Offer.  It was noted that there were a number of children and young people who were transported in the borough, and the cost of this was rising.

Assessments for travel training were being carried out with young people together with more work with families as to how the cost of the transport could be reduced as well as the demand.

Officers stated that there were only 12 that were collected from a meeting point other than their home, and some could possibly, with training, also use the meeting points.  This would be more efficient and the journey times would reduce.  Independent travel was also an option for some individuals.

It was noted that a meeting with parents and engagement with the Heads of Special Schools and the college would be taking place to get a greater investment in independence.  It was appreciated that this would be stressful and could cause anxiety to some children and young people and so would not be suitable for all.  Meeting points would be used in a robust way and it was agreed that this was not a “one size fits all”.

It was made clear that funding of transport to out of borough schools would still be carried out and the policy was very clear that this should be continued.

The Chairman stated that concerns had been raised in the past about the suitability of the meeting points. Officers stated that they would ensure that the meeting points were in a safe and warm environment out of any inclement weather.  Members of the Sub-Committee explained that an assessment had been done in the past which looked at how the meeting points could be utilised.  This caused unnecessary stress and anxiety to the family dynamics and yielded very little.  It was felt that the more high functioning children could benefit from the travel training as almost 54% of all students with learning disabilities were attending mainstream schools.

The Sub-Committee noted that stakeholder engagement had taken place with the Heads of Special Schools and the Deputy Principal of the College regarding the implementation of the transport policy.  They were supportive of the aims and would actively identify students that they believed could both travel independently and would benefit from this approach.  A detailed conversation had also been had with Positive Parents.  A question and answer sheet had been sent to all parents about the consultation as all parents needed to be informed of the discussions being had.  Positive Parents reported that they communicate with their members, and also SENCO’s, special schools and colleges.  There had always been an issue in information being passed on from SENCOs in mainstream schools.

Officers stated that the tender process was commencing for the travel training provider in due course.  Positive Parents were welcomed to join the panel in agreeing on the way forward.

The Sub-Committee thanked officers for an informative report.