Decision details

Proposed Decision:

The Cabinet Member is asked to agree to amend the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement for 2022/23 in light of the recent closure of the Kent Wheels 2 Work scheme.

Background:

There is a legal requirement for post 16 learners to stay in education, training or work-based learning until they reach 18 years of age, and as young adults there is an expectation they will contribute to the cost of their travel in most circumstances. Whilst there is no statutory duty to provide transport for Post 16 Learners there is a duty to consider applications for assistance with transport and to enable access to education.

Local Authorities are required to consult on a Post 16 Transport Policy Statement each year by the 31 May, which explains how they intend to support Post 16 learners in the forthcoming academic year. The Children’s, Young People and Education Cabinet Committee discussed the 2022-23 Policy Statement on 1 March 2022 and the policy was determined by the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills shortly thereafter.

Following the conclusion of these activities, Officers were informed that the Wheels 2 Work scheme, which is managed externally to the team and which is referenced within the policy, will cease to be offered from the end of the 2021/22 academic year as a result of lack of use.

It is therefore necessary to remove references to the Wheels 2 Work scheme from the Post 16 Transport Policy Statement for 2022-23. All remaining transport support options are unchanged.

As Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, I agree to the corrected Kent Post-16 Transport Policy Statement.