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SEND Post 19 Home to School Travel Proposed Policy Changes 2027-28

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Thurrock Council recognises its responsibilities under Section 508F of the Education Act 1996 and the Department for Education's statutory guidance for post-16 transport and travel support and must make such transport arrangements as they consider necessary for eligible adult learners to facilitate attendance at education or training. 

The Council recognises the importance of ensuring that young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can access education and training opportunities. The Council's approach seeks to promote independence, for adulthood employment and community inclusion as part of preparing for adulthood ensuring that the needs of young adults with SEND are appropriately met. 

We are proposing several changes to the current Post 19 transport support and would like to hear your views.  We are planning to implement these changes from September 2027.

Why we are proposing a change:

The number of young adults with EHCP’s continuing in education beyond the age of 19 has increased in recent years.

The Department for Education expects local authorities to consider a range of transport solutions and to actively support learners to develop independence wherever appropriate. This includes consideration of independent travel training, public transport options and personal travel budgets where these are suitable for meeting a learner's needs.

The proposed changes seek to balance the Council's statutory responsibilities with the need to promote positive long-term outcomes for young adults with SEND.

The proposed changes we are consulting on are:

  • Students aged 19 and older must first apply for education provider discretionary bursaries before requesting transport support
  • To replace council contracted transport (taxi/mini bus) with a Personal Travel Budget (PTB) at the standard offer of support, for all young people between the ages of 19-25 years
  • To cease the current contribution towards Post 19 transport for all families including low income families
  • To calculate PTB’s based on an increase to 0.55p per mile for 2 return journeys per school day. 
  • Develop a travel training programme to help young people prepare for adulthood and employment.


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