Decision details

To consider the report of Cabinet Member for Children and Learning seeking approval to 1) School Travel Service Policy for Children of Compulsory School Age 2025-2026 and 2) Post-16 Travel Service Statement For Young People in Further Education and Adult Learners 2025-2026.

(i)  To approve the School Travel Service Policy for Children of Compulsory School Age 2025-2026 (Appendix 1) and the Post-16 Travel Service Policy Statement for Young People and Young Adults to Support Education and Training 2025-2026 (Appendix 2).

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Community Wellbeing, Children and Learning, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children & Learning to make minor changes to the policies during their period of effect.

1.  Local authorities must make free-of-charge travel arrangements to facilitate the attendance at school of eligible children of compulsory school age that are resident in their area. Local authorities must publish their school travel policy for children of compulsory school age by 19th September each year.

2.  Local authorities have a duty to prepare and publish an annual transport policy statement specifying the arrangements for the provision of travel support to facilitate the attendance to young people of sixth form age and young people with EHC Plans up to age 25 where they are continuing on a course started before their 19th birthday in education or training. Local authorities must publish this policy statement by 31st May each year. 

3.   Local authorities have a duty to make arrangements for the provision of travel support as they consider necessary in respect of: (a) adults (aged over 19 years and under the age of 25 years) for the purpose of facilitating their attendance in education; and, (b) relevant young adults with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for the purpose of facilitating their attendance at institutions where they are receiving education or training outside the further and higher education sectors. The adult duty applies only to young people who are attending a course which they started after their 19th birthday, including those with EHC Plans. Where the local authority makes such arrangements, any transport provided must be free of charge. Local authorities must publish this policy statement by 31st May each year. 

4.  As part of the annual review of the School Travel Policy, some minor changes and some material changes that affect the service provision have been proposed and consulted upon through a formal public consultation. Approval is required by Cabinet so that the School Travel Policy can be published for 2025-2026 academic year.

Not applicable, Southampton City Council is required to have a School Travel Policy for Children of Compulsory School Age and a Post-16 Travel Policy Statement for Young People and Young Adults to Support Education and Training by law.