Proposal to Alter the Mainstream Secondary School Transport Qualifying Distance (from more than 2 miles to more than 3 miles).
| Title | Proposal to Alter the Mainstream Secondary School Transport Qualifying Distance (from more than 2 miles to more than 3 miles). |
|---|---|
| Resource | Education |
| Aims and objectives | The alteration of mainstream secondary school transport qualifying distance within South Lanarkshire may impact on a range of people including pupils, parents/carers, and also external transport providers and secondary schools themselves. It is estimated that around 2,000 secondary school pupils may be impacted by this proposal. Distance measurements and road safety checks, where requested, will identify those individual mainstream secondary school pupils who would/would not be entitled to transport as a result of the proposal to alter the mainstream secondary school transport qualifying distance. Age By the very nature of this provision, this proposal will be focused on all young people attending mainstream secondary school regardless of age, gender, race or stage in their education. Sex (Gender) It is accepted that women are usually primary caregivers and so would likely be more involved in getting children to school. Impact may increase due to having several children; and in the time required to get their children to school if the qualifying distance is increased. There is potential for a negative socio-economic impact to parents with childcare responsibilities, particularly women. e.g. by having to balance making alternative travel arrangements with maintaining work commitments or accessing opportunities to increase working hours. Disability It is not anticipated that young people with disabilities will be negatively impacted by this saving, as there is no change proposed in this area of the mainstream school transport policy. The proposal affects only the distance entitlement element of the school transport policy. All pupils who currently receive transport on medical or ASN grounds will continue to do so, and we will continue to assess any new cases on an individual basis. However, it is recognised that some adults within families may have a disability potentially making it difficult for them to accompany their child to school if no longer entitled to transport on distance. Religion No negative impact has been identified at this stage. Consistent application of policy whether secondary schools are denominational or non- denominational. Will require to monitor the impact on numbers of pupils affected across different schools as more information becomes available. |
| Conclusion | Executive Committee of 22 November 2023 approved a public consultation on the proposal to alter the mainstream secondary school transport qualifying distance (from more than 2 miles to more than 3 miles). A proposal document was published, widely publicised and a series of public meetings held. It is recognised that the proposal has the potential to bring a negative socio-economic impact to parents and carers with childcare responsibilities, particularly women and those with a disability. Gender:- We have undertaken some initial analysis of the respondents to our consultation. 73% of all respondents identified as female and of that cohort, 75% are within the working age range of 16-64yrs and have childcare responsibilities (under 14yrs). These results, along with the data collated and detailed above, including rates of pay being less than men, more females working part time, and the last figures for the FRS (2017-20) suggesting relative poverty is highest for single women with children, show there will likely be a negative socio-economic impact. Disability:- It is not anticipated that young people with disabilities will be negatively impacted by this saving, as there is no change proposed in this area of the mainstream school transport policy. The proposal affects only the distance entitlement element of the school transport policy. All pupils who currently receive transport on medical or ASN grounds will continue to do so, and we will continue to assess any new cases on an individual basis. However, it is recognised that some adults within families may have a disability potentially making it difficult for them to accompany their child to school if no longer entitled to transport on distance. Scottish Household Survey shows the percentage of adults(16+) self-identifying with a long-term disability at 35% in 2021. Poverty rates remain higher for households where a family member is disabled (both adult and/ or child) compared to a household where no-one is disabled. The FRS 2017-20, indicates that the poverty rate (after housing costs) for households with a disabled person is 23%. This compares with an average poverty rate of 17% of households without disabled members. Under the Fairer Scotland Duty, while this proposal is not a new strategy, it is an alteration to an existing policy and we do recognise that it has the potential to bring a negative socio-economic impact for those with a low income, including: • women being the primary caregiver, and • parents with disabilities particularly where unemployment and low incomes are prevalent. There is also a potential general impact on parents/carers from the additional strain on childcare and for those who may have multiple children at different schools and have difficulty in getting their children to school. Listed below are some initiatives that will help to mitigate this impact: To mitigate the inequalities of outcome caused by the socio-economic disadvantages arising from the proposal, the following actions and outcomes have been identified: • all secondary school pupils are eligible to access the Under 22 Free Bus Pass Scheme. The scheme will be promoted within schools. • council will engage with bus operators to seek any potential opportunity for them to increase or adjust public bus routes, making Under 22 Free Bus Passes more accessible. • council will promote wider active travel – e.g. cycle routes, walking groups (which may also improve health and wellbeing and social interaction), park and stride, connecting parents who may wish to car share or operate parent led group transport. • council will continue providing access to privilege transport where dedicated school transport may have spare capacity. Priority 1 allocation of spaces remains where there may be a family with an adult disability. • council will conduct safe walking route assessment where concerns over road safety are raised by parents. • secondary schools should seek to build in as many positive factors as possible to support and encourage safe, sustainable and active travel for their pupils within their School Travel Plan • council will monitor the impact of the implementation of the proposal should it be approved. |
| Completed date | 29/2/2024 |
| Contact email | equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk |
| Area | Council wide |