BCP Council: How school travel support changes may affect your family

Parents, carers, students, and community members across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole are being invited to share their feedback on proposed updates to the council’s Home to School Travel Support policies. The consultation, which remains open until 7 October 2026, is designed to gather public input on how the council provides travel assistance for children and young people attending school or college.

Consultation events and how to participate

BCP Council is hosting a series of free, drop-in sessions where residents can speak directly with council officers and representatives from the Parent Carers Together Forum. These sessions are designed to provide clarity on the proposed changes and allow families to ask questions about how the updates might affect them. No prior booking is required for these in-person events.

For those unable to attend in person, an online information session is scheduled for 23 September from 6pm to 7pm. Participation in this digital meeting requires advance registration via the official BCP Council consultation portal.

What this means locally

The proposed policy updates focus on fostering independence and preparing young people for adulthood. Key areas under review include the implementation of Independent Travel Training, the increased use of Personal Travel Budgets for post-16 learners, and the establishment of clearer criteria for eligibility and decision-making. The council is also seeking specific feedback on the potential impact of increasing financial contributions for post-16 travel support.

Council officials have noted that for many families, daily travel arrangements may remain unchanged. However, the consultation process is intended to ensure that individual needs and circumstances are thoroughly considered before any final policies are adopted. To ensure the process is inclusive, the council has launched a dedicated survey specifically for children and young people to capture their personal experiences and perspectives.

How to submit your views

Beyond the scheduled events, residents can participate in the consultation through the official BCP Council consultation website. Paper copies of the survey are also available upon request at local libraries for those who prefer to submit their feedback in writing. The council emphasizes that all feedback received before the 7 October deadline will be used to inform future recommendations regarding travel support across the region.

Source: Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council