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Report of the People Scrutiny Committee

Committee report · Full Council · Tue 13 Oct 2026 · East Sussex County Council · the whole meeting

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Recommended · Officers have advised a course of action. Members decide.

The People Scrutiny Committee recommends to the County Council that the Children's Services Department demonstrate the cost avoidance benefits of Independent Travel Training and develop a business case to expand the offer, including cost/benefit models for different delivery methods. p9p10

It also recommends that the department strengthen implementation of its existing Personal Travel Budget and Independent Travel Training policies, including regularly reviewing uptake and barriers, and working with schools to expand the availability of training. p11p12p13

It further recommends that the department develop a communication strategy to promote the benefits of Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training to parents, carers and schools. p14

Show the 6 passages this is based on
  • p9· How to effectively promote the availability and benefits of Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training with parents, pupils and schools. 1.4 The review found that Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training can provide greater flexibility for families, promote young people’s confidence and independence and help avoid higher transport costs. However, uptake is limited by practical barriers, parental concerns, rural public transport constraints and a lack of awareness about availability, flexible use of these and the support available. 1.5 The Review Board concluded that Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training can provide significant benefits for eligible families and young people by promoting independence, flexibility and better outcomes, while also helping to manage increasing Home to School Transport pressures. However, greater benefits could be realised through increased uptake, supported by clearer communication, stronger engagement with families, schools and young people, and improved awareness of the flexibility already available within existing policies. 1.6 The People Scrutiny Committee recommends to the County Council that – 1.6.1 The Children’s Services Department (the department) should demonstrate the cost avoidance benefits of Independent Travel Training and develop a business case to expand the offer. This should take account of the wider benefits and the significance of Independent Travel Training in promoting long term independence and positive outcomes for young people, and:
  • p10· include cost/benefit models for different delivery methods; and
  • p11· consider the costs and benefits of providing bus passes to eligible post 16 pupils after they complete training to encourage participation. 1.6.2 The department should strengthen the implementation of its existing policies to ensure that frameworks supporting Independent Travel Training and Personal Travel Budgets are fully utilised to benefit families within the resources available, and, using any additional resource if secured through a successful business case, enhance the Independent Travel Training offer. This should include:
  • p12a) regularly reviewing the implementation and uptake of Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training, identifying and addressing barriers that prevent families from accessing these opportunities, to ensure policies are inclusive and accessible;
  • p13b) working with schools to expand the availability of classroom based Independent Travel Training and identifying opportunities, where feasible, to increase the number of schools engaging with the offer and communicating it effectively to families; and
  • p14c) introducing Independent Travel Training earlier and at key transition points by offering age appropriate training for younger pupils and promoting options for students to travel independently for part or all of their journey. 1.6.3 The department should develop a communication strategy to promote the benefits and opportunities of Personal Travel Budgets and Independent Travel Training to parents, carers and schools; articulate how to apply and utilise these offers; and address parent/carer concerns. This should include:

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