By Gail Hall
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September 3, 2025
Updated Feedback following our SEND home to school/college survey Thank you to all who have completed our survey - to those who would still like to take part, you can complete it HERE Please find below a high level summary of the feedback from parent/carers from the recent Transport survey we conducted and shared via mail chimp and social media. The survey was live for less than a week at this point and we had some strong feedback. We presented these findings at our coproduction steering group meeting on Tuesday 9th September and have started the ball rolling to address these issues going forward. We will keep our membership updated with progress in this area, including any future opportunities to be part of the work as we address these with our partners. All comments and feedback will be used as part of those discussions. There were 3 key terms noted used by parents to describe their feelings around the home to school transport experience. A Fight Frustrating A cause of anxiety Response Results No issues 32% Small Issues 23% Major Issues 43% My child doesn't access transport 2% It must be noted that although the majority of comments left were from those whose experience was less that positive, there was a few who commented it all ran smoothly as transport remained the same as previous years. 5 Key themes from the transport survey in order of most complaints where parents highlight change is essential Communication: Delay in finding out transport provider/times for collection Parents continually chasing SEND transport team leading to parents feeling frustrated and stressed Parents unable to prepare their child adding to additional anxiety at starting back to school Transport Team communication Parent report it is extremely difficult to contact the team and get a response to emails or calls Parents report they experienced uniformed, disinterested transport team when they do answer the call Transport Requests declined Parent are clearly frustrated at transport requests being declined even at appeal level. They are clear gaps in understanding around eligibility/criteria that need to be addressed to support parent understanding of decisions Delay in response to transport requests Parents/carers are reporting requests are not being completed on time resulting in thier child not having transport to commence the start of the school year Transport experience Parents report poor behaviour during home to school transport is not being reported by drivers Parents report increased anxiety when transport is running up to 30 mins late due to earlier pick ups not running on time and their child arriving to school late.