Parents of children with special educational needs or disabilities may be asked to pay towards the cost of transporting their children to nursery or college in future.

Salford City Council is one of the few local authorities that still offers fully-funded travel budgets for children with SEN but, faced with significant further cuts to its budget, has launched a consultation on changes to provision.

Under the proposals, travel training in using public transport could be extended to support more students until they complete ‘sixth form’ education or training. Other students who cannot use public transport could be offered personal budgets and support to create their own travel plans.

But, in line with other Greater Manchester authorities, most Salford parents or carers could be asked to contribute to the cost of transport to nursery and post 16 provision if their children have education, health and care plans (ECHPs.)* Transport for school age children is not affected by these proposals.

Councillor John Walsh, executive support for children’s and young people’s services, said: “Salford is one of the few authorities in Greater Manchester which currently provides free transport pre and post school and we have been proud to continue that for as long as we could.

“However, with 47% of our central government funding cut since 2010, £186 million already taken from our budget and further significant cuts to make this year we have no alternative but to reduce costs.

“Sadly that could mean asking parents and carers to now make a contribution towards the cost of transport, bringing us into line with other councils in Greater Manchester. If these changes go through, we will work with children, students and their families to assess their individual circumstances. No-one will be deprived of nursery or post 16 education because of these proposals.

“Under the proposals, we are also looking to expand the range of support given to include more young people under 16. Travel training has worked very successfully with many adults and has opened up new jobs and volunteering opportunities for them. If it can benefit more young people we can open up a world of new possibilities for them and reduce the council’s transport costs.

“Obviously not all young people will be capable of travelling independently or using public transport, even with support. Our proposals for those young people are to offer a personal budget and work with them and their family to create an individual travel plan that suits their needs. This is all about making sure everyone can continue in education or training.”

Salford City Council already provides travel training for a number of appropriate pupils from Year 9 upwards – working with them under close supervision to help them learn how to use public transport safely and confidently.

The council is asking for comments and consulting families and young people on extending the scheme to cover more students from 16 until they complete ‘sixth form’ education or training.

The consultation closes on Friday 8 December. All views will be taken into account and a decision will be made next year. Any changes would be implemented from September 2018.

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