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North Somerset Council is working with schools, families, children, and young people to ensure that travel arrangements promote greater independence based on each child's individual needs.
The council has launched a consultation and is seeking the views of families and young people within North Somerset who either currently receive Home to School Transport (HTST) or who would like to access it in the near future.
The consultation seeks views on some changes being considered in order to provide a better service for young people now and in the future.
Key proposed changes to the policy include:
- New flexible and sustainable travel offers to support independence through an Independent Travel Training scheme.
- Introducing a cycling and wheeling allowance for those using this method of travel.
- Renaming the policy as Home to School Travel and using other wording in line with Government guidance.
- Guidance in the instance that parents/carers are not at home.
- Aligning extended distance criteria to that offered within statutory guidance (from 25 miles to 15 miles).
- Introducing discretionary awards for those with temporary mobility impairments.
The proposals include changes that the Department for Education (DfE) has recently published in its guidance document.
The consultation will close on Monday 15 July 2024. Any changes to the current policy following this process will come into effect in September 2025. The consultation is being done now to allow parents to access the new policies when choosing secondary schools by the end of October 2024 for admission in 2025.
To have your say visit Changes to Home to School Transport Policies - North Somerset Council Consultations (inconsult.uk)