Sefton Council has approved a series of immediate improvements to its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Travel Support Service, aimed at offering greater choice, independence and flexibility to families across the borough.

Approved at a Cabinet meeting yesterday, the new, expanded offer is the result of a comprehensive review of the service, co-produced with the Sefton Parent Carer Forum (SPCF), which represents families of children and young people with SEND in the area. The Council has worked in close partnership with SPCF to offer engagement opportunities to families of SEND children and young people through in-person events, online meetings and public consultations.

Expanding The Offer

Two key additions to the current offer have been approved for implementation from later this year:

• Independent Travel Training (ITT) to help young people build the confidence and skills to travel independently to school where they feel able and supported to do so.
• Enhanced Personal Travel Budgets (EPTBs) giving families more flexibility to arrange travel in a way that suits their needs and ensures no family is left out of pocket if they choose to arrange more personalised support that works for them.

To watch an explainer video about these two changes, head to the SEND Travel Support page

These changes are designed to improve the quality and sustainability of the service, which supports some of Sefton’s most vulnerable young people in travelling to and from school so they arrive safe, happy and ready for a day of learning.

Working With Families

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:

“Children, young people and families told us they would like more flexibility and more independence built in to the Travel Support offer and more clarity around the process and what they are entitled to. These improvements are the first step in delivering just that.

“When Travel Support works well, it works for everyone and allows us to offer a more personalised offer for Travel Support to those families who want it and ensure our offer is sustainable amidst growing demand.”

“We are proud to have developed these changes alongside parents and carers and we remain committed to continuing this co-production approach as we move forward.”

Making Travel Support Work For Everyone

Over the past four years, the number of children and young people in Sefton with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) has more than doubled, which has driven a big rise in the numbers receiving travel support.

This increased demand has placed significant pressure on the council’s budget and resources, with travel support costs rising more than doubling since 2022.

By expanding the choices for families for Travel Support to include more than just commissioned transport, Sefton aims to better meet the needs of families, offer a more bespoke set of options to families while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the service.

Longer-Term Improvements in the Pipeline

The report also outlines three further improvement areas that are currently in development and will be brought back to Cabinet later this year. These include:

• A simplified application process for travel support;
• Enhanced route planning using new technology and scheduling systems;
• Improved communication and engagement between families, schools, the council and transport providers.

Co-Production at the Heart

The service review was carried out in line with Sefton’s Coproduction Charter, ensuring that parents, carers, young people, schools and service providers have shaped every stage of the proposed improvements.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, added:

“These improvements are about doing what’s right for children and families, while making sure we can continue to meet our statutory duties in a sustainable way that gives those families who want more choice and flexibility a more personalised offer.”