ESCC HP Independent Travel Training - AWARD

East Sussex County Council is tendering for an Independent Travel Training service for Children and Young People.

ESCC have a legal responsibility to ensure that children and young people who live in East Sussex are able to travel safely to school or college.

This is part of the ESCC Council Plan promise to:

• oSupport the most vulnerable people
• oHelp make East Sussex prosperous and safe
• oEncourage personal and community responsibility

Many of our students with SEND receive home to school travel assistance, often in the form of a scheduled taxi or minibus. The national Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform agenda has instigated a change in the Local Authority offer by putting families at the centre of planning for their children and giving greater focus on choice and control over areas of support. In the Preparing for Adulthood guidance it makes clear that 'Good support for independent living will include independent travel training', and this is now included in a section of a child's Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP). In its review of the Raising of Participation Age, the Department for Education (DfE) stressed the importance of Independent Travel Training.