Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Corporate Director for Children, Young people’s Services and Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth and Corporate Director of Resources which presented an update on the Home to School Transport Programme (for copy see file of minutes).

Keith Foster, Corporate Data and Insight Manager shared an update in relation to the Home to School Transport (H2ST) programme highlighting priority areas. The report included progress on Durham County Council’s (DCC) concessionary Scheme, a simplified process for providing travel budgets for pupils with SEN and procurement updates.

The Corporate Data and Insight Manager also updated the committee on the budget position which had seen expenditure double since 2019/20. Increases in costs were expected to continue due to the impact of inflation on contract costs and growing demand from pupils with SEND. There was no other direct government support for the increasing costs of H2ST and no funding was received for SEN transport which accounted for approx. 70% of the budget.

Jim Murray, Head of Education and Skills was in attendance and spoke to members regarding supporting the service with questions from parents about changes to journeys and support staff such as drivers or passenger support assistants. He highlighted that changes were often necessary due to increased cost and changing needs of the child.

Councillor E Waldock left the meeting.

Councillor C Varty noted that she had spoken with a family within her division which reported that they had worked closely with H2ST and developed a plan for pick up of an SEN pupil from an alternative location. This partnership working had resulted in a significant improvement in the family’s life and stability of the young person. The Corporate Data and Insight Manager added that where viable, the Council would maintain continuity of transport provision as this gave stability for families and the young person. However, on occasion the Council needed to change the transport provider due to circumstances such as availability and cost.

In response to a question from Professor G Ciesielska, Officers responded that decisions on transport for young people with complex needs were taken with input from the school, parents, and professionals such as child psychologists. Further work was also being undertaken with a small number of schools to progress reviews of transport where a SEN pupils’ needs have changed over time. These reviews worked closely with families around key milestones for example during transition from primary to secondary school or progression into year 10.

Resolved: The Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the contents of the report.</AI4></AI11>