Purpose

The Cabinet will be asked to consider adoption
of the new Post-16 SEND travel policy, proceed with the new
practice for negotiating and procuring transport contracts, and
adoption of the new STAR transport open framework to replace the
outgoing DPS.

Content

The Cabinet has
considered a report detailing the results of the recent
consultation on proposed changes to the post-16 SEND transport
policy and how contracts are negotiated and has agreed to delegate
to the Director for Education, Work and Skills, in consultation
with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education,
authority to:-
 
(1) Implement the new
post-16 transport policy and practice from September 2026.
 
(2) Implement the new
procedure of assessing and renegotiating of contracts with
immediate effect.
 
(3) Adopt the new STAR
Open Framework on 1 April 2026.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option
in this situation would be to do nothing and continue as is,
however, this would mean that the SEND transport service costs are
likely to keep increasing and the DPS framework would expire,
leaving us open to higher costs.