A proposal for revised home-to-school transport links for young people with Special Educational Needs has been approved by Sheffield City Council.
A public consultation launched in January 2025 sought to receive feedback on the proposal to introduce a Personal Travel Budget (PTB) for parents and carers of young people to arrange their own transport links rather than rely on council provided vehicles.
There were 975 respondents to the survey and the plans were subsequently approved by the Education, Children’s and Families Committee in a meeting on Wednesday, 7 May.
Coun Dawn Dale, Chair of the Education, Children’s and Families Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We set out to improve the service we have been providing for Sheffield’s children, and where we have already been making strides in this area.
“This consultation has helped us revise that further to be more tailored to people’s needs.”
Under the revised proposal, existing Year 11 and Post-16 students currently accessing SEN travel support will be given the option to move to a PTB, whereas first time applicants to this cohort will be offered a PTB as a first choice with alternative transport available if necessary.
An expansion to Independent Travel Training program will also go ahead with this proposal, in order to empower students to grow confidence and independence with travel and life skills.
Gaynor Stephenson, a parent present at the meeting, has a 20-year-old son hoping to go to University this year. She believes the Independent Travel Training program has enabled it to happen.
She said: “It has improved his confidence and given him a sense of self-worth.
“This scheme has made a huge difference to his life. Its a win for us, a win for him and the win for the council.”
However, concerns raised during the consultation included safety issues with using public transport, traffic congestion, and how proposed rises in fees for taxi and minibus provision is discriminatory.
Demand for services has placed increased pressure on the Council’s transport budget, with a 25 per cent increase in applicants expected by September 2026.
The full report of the consultation brought to yesterday’s committee is available on Sheffield City Council’s website.
