Lorraine Buck

Corporate Director, People & Performance/

Cyfarwyddwr Corfforaethol, Pobl a Pherfformiad

Unit 5, Triangle Business Park, Pentrebach,
Merthyr Tydfil, CF484TQ
Uned 5, Parc Fusness Triongl, Pentrebach,
Merthyr Tudful, CF48 4TQ
Tel/Ffôn: (01685) 725000
Fax/Ffacs: (01685) 374397

To Parents and Carers
Date/Dyddiad: Monday 27th April 2015
Our ref./Ein Cyf.: / Please ask for/Gofynnwch am:
Your ref./Eich Cyf.: / Direct Line/Llinell Uniongyrchol: / (01685) 725087/725052
e-mail/e-bost: /

Dear Parents/Carers,

RE: Home To School Transport for pupils with Special Education Needs and/or a medical condition

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

I am writing to inform you that following a review of the local authority’s Home to School Transport Policy for pupils with Special Education Needs (SEN) and/or a medical condition, it has been agreed that a public consultation be carried out for a revised policy that has been proposedfor the academic year 2016/17.

Current Position:

SEN

School transport is currently provided for SEN pupils,including those with a disability, based on the type of provision (school) attended, rather than on an assessed need for transport.

Medical Condition

School transport is provided for pupils with a medical condition, including those with a disability, based on an assessed need for transport.

Proposed Policy Change for 2016/17 (Summary):

To ensure that the provision of free school transport for pupils with SEN, a disability and/or a medical conditionis consistently based on an assessed need for transport rather than on the type of provision attended, it is proposed that the local authority will undertake an individual needs assessment of pupils with SEN, a disability and/or a diagnosed medical condition to determine whether he or she is unable to walk to his or her nearest suitable school.

If the child is assessed as being unable to walk to his or her nearest suitable school due to their special educational needs, disability or medical condition, the local authority will provide him or her with transport to and from school.

When considering whether a child is able to walk to his or her nearest suitable school, account will be taken of whether it is reasonable to expect the child to be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Where the provision of school transport is not considered necessary to meet the needs of a pupil, transport will not be provided, and this will encourage and promote independence for the benefit of each individual pupil’s well-being.

Therefore awarding of transport will be made by the local authority following an appropriate assessment of need.

By ensuring transport is provided to only those that require it, the local authority will be able to ensure that its use of resources is efficient and effective.

A copy of the full policy that has been proposed and the Cabinet report where it was presented is available via the Merthyr Tydfil CBC

The public consultation on this proposal takes place over a 12 week period from Monday 27th April 2015 – Monday 20th July 2015.

Following the consultation period, any amendments will be considered and a final policy for academic year 2016/17 will be published on 1st October 2015 to come into effect a year later i.e. from September 2016

All parents/carers and pupils are encouraged to respond to the public consultation in at least one of the following ways;

  • A survey is available on-line by visiting
  • A paper based copy of the survey can also be downloaded from
  • In writing via a letter to the Communications, Consultation and Engagement Team, Civic Centre, Merthyr Tydfil CBC, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8AN or via e-mail
  • Drop-in sessions where there is the opportunity to have face to face discussions with service managers are being scheduled to take place in local schools, the civic centre and other locations over the 12 week period.
  • A letter will be sent to parents/carerswith information about these sessions and details will be available on the MTCBC website and via the Facebook page/Twitter feed.
  • A letter with a copy of the survey will be sent directly to the homes of those pupils who are currently in receipt of transport due to either a special educational need, disability or a medical condition.

The purpose of this consultation period is to seek views regarding the policy proposed, to consider suggested amendments/alternatives, as well as assessing the impact on pupils/families if transport provision was removed from those who currently receive it.

I would therefore welcome your contribution to this consultation in order to ensure the final policy is considered and appropriate as possible.

Yours faithfully,

DOROTHY HAINES

Chief Officer Learning