Purpose

Proposed
decision:
To agree the Post 16 Transport Policy
Statement including Post 19 Transport 2025/26 and future
implementation
 

Reason for the decision
KCC has
a duty to consult on and publish its Post 16 Transport Policy
Statement every year.  Whilst there is
no statutory duty to provide transport for Post 16 Learners, there
is a duty to consider applications for assistance with transport
and to enable access to education and training to age 18. The
transport policy sets out how KCC will meet this duty and what
learners can expect by way of support.Councils also have a duty to make such arrangements as they
consider necessary for the provision of transport and otherwise in
respect of Adults learners including those with an EHCP.

 

Financial Implications
The Home to School
Transport net budget is £97.7m for 2025-26. There are no
specific grants for home to school transport and the Council are
expected to fund their responsibilities through the General Fund
(Council Tax and other wider council funding) or where applicable,
parental contributions. This budget covers mainstream, post 16 and
SEN transport for eligible children aged up to 25.
 
The
Council currently spends approximately £10m per annum on Post
16 transport to schools and further education providers. There are
no substantive changes proposed to the 2025-26 policy.
 

Legal Implications 
The requirements
placed on a local authority are defined in the Education Act 1996
(as amended), Education and Skills Act 2008, Education and
Inspections Act 2006, Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and
Learning Act 2009 and the Equality Act 2010.
Local
authorities do not have a general obligation to provide free or
subsidised post 16 travel support but do have a duty to prepare and
publish an annual transport policy statement specifying the
arrangements for the provision of transport or other support that
the authority considers it necessary to make to facilitate the
attendance of all persons of sixth form age receiving education or
training.
The
policy statement also sets out the duties on the LA to consider
requests for transport support. KCC is required to enable access to
education and will consider applications for support where a Kent
16+ Travel Saver pass is not suitable. 
Where support is agreed, the policy makes clear that learners will
initially be assessed for Travel Training and alternative transport
arrangements will only be provided where this training is not
appropriate. Where additional support is refused learners can
appeal to the Transport Regulation Committee Appeal
Panel. 
Local
authorities also have a duty to encourage, enable and assist young
people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to
participate in education and training, up to the age of
25.
 

Decision

As Cabinet Member for Education and
Skills,  I agree to:
 
Determine the Post 16 Transport
Policy Statement including Post 19 Transport
2025/26.