College Transport for SEND Students Could Change: Have Your Say by 20 November Families Asked for Views on Changes to Post-16 SEND Transport by 20 November
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
The council's thinking of swapping the taxis and minibuses for older SEND students for money towards a bus pass. Nothing's decided, and you've got until 20 November to tell them what you think.
If you've got a young person with SEND who's in Year 12 or above, or about to be, have a read of this. The council wants to change how it helps them get to college, sixth form or training.
Right now, if they qualify, the council usually sorts a taxi or minibus. The idea is to give families money instead, roughly what a bus pass costs, so you can pick whatever way of getting there suits you. If that wouldn't work for your young person, say because of mobility or care needs, you can ask for an individual assessment. The council says some might still get other help, like travel training, a personal travel budget or a seat on transport that's already running.
Why now? The council says more young people need transport and the bills have gone up a lot. It's keen to stress that "No decisions have been made about the proposals." If it does go ahead, it would start on 1 September 2027.
So now's the time to have your say. Fill in the survey at consult.cumberland.gov.uk/post-16-send-transport before 20 November. There are online drop-ins on Thursday 22 October, 11am to noon, and Tuesday 10 November, 6pm to 7pm. Or pop in person to Westfield Family Hub in Workington on Tuesday 3 November, 10am to noon, or the Family Hub on the Harbour in Whitehaven that afternoon, 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Need a hand, an EasyRead version, or a link to an online session? Email HaveYourSay@cumberland.gov.uk.
Cumberland Council is consulting on replacing council-arranged taxis and minibuses for eligible post-16 SEND students with a payment based on the cost of a bus pass. Nothing has been decided, and the consultation closes on 20 November.
This is for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Year 12 or above, their parents and carers, and schools and colleges across Cumberland. The council is consulting on changes to post-16 home-to-school transport, the help that gets young people to college, sixth form or training.
At the moment, eligible young people usually have transport arranged for them, normally a council-arranged minibus or taxi. Under the proposal, they would instead receive money towards travel costs, similar to the cost of a bus pass, and families could choose the option that works best for them. If that would not meet a young person's needs, for example because of mobility or social care needs, families could apply for an individual assessment. The council says other help may still be offered in some cases, such as independent travel training, a personal travel budget or a seat on existing transport.
The council says more young people need transport and the cost has risen significantly, putting it under financial pressure. A council spokesperson said: "No decisions have been made about the proposals." If the changes are agreed, they would start on 1 September 2027.
You can respond online at consult.cumberland.gov.uk/post-16-send-transport until 20 November 2026. There are online drop-in sessions on Thursday 22 October, 11am to noon, and Tuesday 10 November, 6pm to 7pm. In West Cumbria, in-person sessions are at Westfield Family Hub in Workington on Tuesday 3 November, 10am to noon, and at the Family Hub on the Harbour in Whitehaven the same day, 1.30pm to 3.30pm. For help, an EasyRead version or to join an online session, email HaveYourSay@cumberland.gov.uk.