Post-16 SEND Transport Support: Have your say on the Council's future approach

Residents are being asked to have their say on the future of transport support for young people aged 16 and over with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is launching a formal public consultation on its Post-16 SEND transport offer, which is currently provided to young people travelling to education and training on a discretionary basis.

Around 175 young people across Stockton-on-Tees currently receive this support at a cost of approximately £700,000 for 2025-2026.  Demand and cost for the service is growing.

The decision to carry out a formal consultation was agreed at a meeting of the Council's Cabinet on 23 April 2026.

No decisions have been made about any future policy changes.

The consultation will give those who use the service, their parents and carers as well as residents of the Borough the opportunity to share their experiences and views on a range of possible future approaches.

Some of these include:

• Maintaining the current approach (no change)
• Introducing financial contributions, with protections for low-income households
• Focusing support on those with the highest levels of need
• Exploring alternative travel options and ways to promote young people's independence
• People will also be able to give views and suggestions based on their own experiences.

Councillor Richard Eglington, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, said: "We are reviewing all the Council's services in light of increasing demand and the significant financial pressures we, like many other local authorities, are facing. 

"The consultation will seek to gather views on the future shape of Post-16 SEND transport which is a discretionary service. The feedback received will help inform any future recommendations to Cabinet.  

"We want to understand how the service can best meet future needs while remaining affordable and aligned with our statutory duties. 

"I want to reassure people that no decisions have been made. We're holding this consultation at an early stage to ensure that young people, their families, carers and the Borough's residents can have their say on our future approach.

"We want to listen to people's views on this issue and we'd particularly like to hear from those who use, or have used, this transport support, so we have a clear understanding of their lived experience.

"This feedback will provide an important part of the evidence we need to help Cabinet make a fully informed future decision about the approach.

"Please complete the online questionnaire, pick up a paper copy or visit one of the special drop-in sessions hosted by the Stockton Parent Carer Forum to have your say."

The consultation will close on Wednesday 22 July. Residents can take part by completing the online survey via the dedicated webpage.

Paper versions are also available at the following sites:

Stockton Central Library & Customer Service Centre - TS18 1TU

Billingham Library & Customer Service Centre - TS23 2LN

Thornaby Central Library & Customer Service Centre - TS17 9EW

Stockton Family Hub - TS18 3PJ

Best Start Family Hub Redhill - TS19 9BX

Thornaby Family Hub - TS17 9PJ

Billingham Family Hub - TS23 2QL

Following the consultation, all responses will be carefully considered. Any proposed changes to policy will be subject to a further report to Cabinet which would outline findings, any impacts on residents and seek a decision on a final policy position.