The People Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to consider future options for the Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES) and review the redesign of the Children's Services home to school transport policy. The meeting will also include a session for public questions.

Future Options to Deliver DACES

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to focus on the consultation feedback regarding future options for delivering the Derbyshire Adult Community Education Service (DACES). The consultation, which ran from 18 December 2025 to 22 February 2026, sought public and stakeholder input on how to increase participation in learning and improve outcomes, ensuring the service is responsive, inclusive, and impactful for Derbyshire residents who need it most.

The report pack indicates that 1,189 responses were received through online, in-person, and facilitated sessions, with a broad mix of public members, current learners, and Derbyshire County Council staff participating. While awareness of local adult learning opportunities is high (72% of respondents), gaps remain for non-users, suggesting a need to convert interest into participation, particularly in deprived and rural areas.

Respondents indicated that people wish to learn for various reasons, including gaining new skills and qualifications for work and progression (nearly three-quarters), improving confidence, independence, and self-esteem, and for wellbeing, enjoyment, and social connection. The report suggests that provision should be flexible enough to meet these diverse needs.

Priorities for provision include basic skills (English, maths, and digital), vocational routes (such as care, construction, and hospitality), and employability skills. Health and wellbeing, digital help, clear progression routes, and learning support are also highlighted as important for retention and achievement. In areas with high deprivation, creative and confidence-building courses are valued. The implication is a need for a balanced offer supporting both the inclusive growth of the county and the health and wellbeing of its residents.

Regarding where learning should happen, existing adult education centres, community venues, and libraries were identified as top venues. However, safety, facilities, and accessibility were deemed more important than the specific venue. There was a repeated need for adaptations and inclusive environments, with over 80% of non-users expressing a desire for outreach services. This suggests enhancing local reach through deeper partnerships within communities, employers, health, and other public services.

In terms of delivery methods, in-person delivery was the clear preference across all respondents, with blended learning (a mixture of in-person and online delivery) being a strong alternative. In deprived areas, one-to-one support and group workshops ranked higher. The implication is to maintain a physical footprint and targeted supported pathways.

Practical preferences included learning on Mondays to Thursdays, after 9 am, in the afternoons, and early evenings. Most respondents were willing to travel between 2–5 miles, followed by up to 10 miles. This suggests programmes should be designed around school hours and other local hub activities, avoiding over-centralisation within a locality.

The biggest perceived barriers to learning were cost, followed by a lack of awareness and limited course range. Transport and caring commitments also reduced access. In deprived areas, confidence was identified as a key barrier. The implication is to ensure provision is accessible and inclusive by design, through targeted outreach, affordable pricing, flexible delivery, and appropriate advice and guidance.

The proposed aims for DACES include supporting inclusive growth in Derbyshire by maintaining pathways into work, protecting tailored wellbeing, confidence-building, and independent-living programmes, strengthening reasonable adjustments and inclusive learning environments, and maintaining a physical footprint supported by community hubs and outreach in deprived communities. Risks identified include reputational damage if service changes impact quality or access, potential intervention due to a dip in performance during transition, participation drops leading to widening inequalities, and cost pressures excluding low-income learners.

Children's Services Home to School Transport Policy Redesign

The committee is also scheduled to review the proposed redesign of the Children's Services home to school transport policy. Derbyshire County Council currently operates 1,140 transport routes daily for 10,000 children to support education access. The review follows updated government guidance and a 10-week public consultation that engaged families, schools, Parent Carer Forums, and cross-border authorities.

Proposed changes include revised charges to align with benchmarks, the introduction of pickup points to reduce door-to-door transport, and the introduction of personal travel budgets and enhanced independent travel training for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Personal travel budgets would offer families funding to choose suitable transport, while independent travel training aims to equip young people with SEND skills for safe and confident independent travel, promoting independence and inclusion. These changes are intended to reduce reliance on council transport, encourage life skills, and improve long-term outcomes. Assessments of individual children's needs will be made before a transport offer is provided.

Concerns were raised regarding an increase in the price of the spare seats policy, from £480 to £570 annually. Officers confirmed that Derbyshire County Council's costs remain below neighbouring authorities, and low-income families will still receive a discount. The cost of the service had not been reviewed for some time. It was highlighted that the redesign aims to review services rather than remove them. The bidding system for home to school transport contracts is also under review, and liaison with the East Midlands Combined County Authority on bus services has been suggested.

Public Questions

The meeting will also include a session for public questions, with a maximum of 30 minutes allocated. Members of the public who are on the Derbyshire County Council register of electors, or are Derbyshire County Council taxpayers or non-domestic taxpayers, may ask questions of the committee or attending council officers. Questions must be submitted in writing or by email to the Director of Legal Services no later than 12 noon three working days before the committee meeting. Further details on the procedure for submitting questions can be found in the Procedure for Public Questions at Improvement and Scrutiny Committee meetings.