Council invites residents to have their say on Home to School Assisted Travel

Sutton Council is inviting residents to have their say on proposed changes to the Council’s Home to School Assisted Travel Service. 

Our Home to School Assisted Travel service provides support to help children and young people to travel to school or college when they would otherwise be prevented by disability or need.

The service currently supports over 900 children and young people in Sutton. Since 2016 demand for the service has grown and the cost of providing it has increased by more than 70%. 

The Council must provide travel assistance to children aged between five and 16 who meet the criteria set by the Department for Education. The Council has in addition been funding services that provide travel assistance to those under five and those aged 16 to 19, considering criteria including distance to student’s home and their learning difficulties and disabilities.

As part of the Council’s support for young people with special education needs and disabilities, it offers independent travel training to help build the confidence and skills needed to live independent lives in adulthood. So far, 10 children and young people have been supported to travel safely to and from their school or college on their own, and the scheme is set to expand over the coming months. 

Proposals that the Council is consulting on include changes to the way in which some services to children aged between five and 16 are delivered, as well as recommendations for alternative services for young people who are not included within the Department of Education requirements. 

Councillor Marian James, Chair People Committee, said: “We know that support with travel to school is a valuable service for many young people and their families. 

“I am proud of  the steps the Council is already taking to support children and young people to travel independently and prepare for adulthood. 

“After more than a decade of austerity and underfunding of local authorities, we are having to review how we are delivering services like assisted transport to make sure we can continue to support those who need it the most. 

“We hope that by working with residents to get their views, we can continue to support our young people to help them to travel more independently. 

“Thank you to the Sutton Parent Carer Forum, who have been invaluable in running sessions for us to help us shape this consultation. Please take the time to have your say on our proposals.”

Get involved
There are in-person and virtual meetings where you can find out more about the consultation:

• Thursday 12 October, 10am to 12pm, Creative Room, Cantium House, Wallington SM6 0DZ
• Monday 16 October, 7.30pm to 9pm, online
• Thursday 2 November, 10am to 12pm, Carew College, Church Road, Beddington, Wallington SM6 7NH

Please let us know if you wish to attend one of these events by completing this quick registration form.

You can access the consultation on the Council’s Citizen Space consultation web pages.

Hard copies, including an easy read version of the consultation and questions, are available at the Council’s Civic Offices, or you can request for one to be sent to you by emailing consultation@cognus.org.uk  

If you need information in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, audio recording or braille, please email webadmin@sutton.gov.uk or call 020 8770 5000.

The consultation closes on 11 November. A report on the consultation will be brought back to the People Committee in February 2024, with any changes to the Home to School Assisted Travel Service coming into effect from September 2024.