Cumberland Council is asking residents to share their views on possible changes to post-16 home-to-school transport for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The public consultation will run until 20 November 2026. No decisions have been made, and feedback will be considered before Cumberland Council’s Executive decides whether any changes should be introduced.
Post-16 transport supports eligible young people who continue in education or training, usually at a college or sixth form. At present, transport is usually arranged by the council, often through a minibus or taxi.
The consultation is on the proposal to introduce a financial contribution towards travel costs, based on the cost of a bus pass. The council wants to understand what this could mean for young people and families, and what support may be needed if any changes are agreed.
The review comes as more young people need help to travel to education or training and the cost of providing transport has increased. The proposals aim to explore how support could be fair, sustainable and focused on those who need it most, while giving young people and families more choice and flexibility and supporting greater independence.
Cllr Elaine Lynch, Portfolio Holder for Lifelong Learning at Cumberland Council, said:
“We want young people with SEND and their families to have more choice and flexibility in arranging travel to education or training. The proposals also aim to support young people to become more independent as they prepare for adulthood, while making sure individual needs continue to be considered.
“We recognise that reliable travel is especially important for families across a large rural area such as Cumberland. At the same time, rising demand and increasing costs mean the council faces significant financial challenges, so we need to consider how support can remain fair and sustainable.
“I want to reassure families that no decisions have been made. We want young people, parents, carers, schools, colleges and partners to help shape what happens next. I encourage everyone with an interest in post-16 SEND transport to read the proposals and have their say.”
The proposals include opportunities for each young person’s travel needs to be considered individually, including whether they need additional support.
If changes are agreed following the consultation and further consideration by Executive, they would not be introduced before September 2027.
People can read the proposals, find accessible information and complete the consultation on Let’s Talk Cumberland. The consultation closes on 20 November 2026: consult.cumberland.gov.uk/post-16-send-transport