SCN0720

Supplementary written evidence submitted by Imogen Jolley

 

 

  1. Despite the introduction of the Children and Families Act in 2014, there has been no proper review of ancillary arrangements for transport.

 

  1. The Education Act 1996 (as amended by the Education Inspections Act 2006 and the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009)) still governs transport for compulsory school age pupils and post 16 students. There is a “gap” in relation to defined arrangements for some 16-19 year olds that has not been addressed that allows LAs to decide on what transport they will put in place, this allows them discretion which they often use to refuse. The provision for post 19 year olds is also less prescriptive than for compulsory school age pupils, leaving further discretion to LAs and thus a greater opportunity to refuse provision.

 

  1. Just as a clear example, the Education Act 1996 (s 508G) still refers to “Learning Difficulties Assessments” for post 16 pupils and these have been defunct since 2017.

 

  1. The Travel and Transport guidance issued by the DfE (last updated Jan 2019) is merely that, guidance, not mandatory.

 

 

September 2019