Councils Face Mounting Pressure Over School transport for Pupils with SEND
England’s councils are under increasing scrutiny as they grapple with providing school transport for approximately 470,000 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), according to recent reports. the issue has sparked concerns about equitable access to education, particularly as budgetary constraints lead to reduced transport provision.
“I don’t want to put her somewhere that ‘will do’, just because of the issues with transport,” said a parent advocating for her child’s educational rights. Many children with SEND require specialist provision unavailable at local mainstream schools. “I think it’s realy important to remember that people have a right to their education,” she added, emphasizing “that equality of opportunity is still really important.”
Funded transport is “crucial” for regular school attendance and fostering independence among these students, stated Rob Williams, senior policy advisor at the school leaders’ union NAHT. However,he warned that a “growing number of councils are reducing transport provision due to increasing budgetary pressures,” potentially widening attainment gaps and increasing strain on families.
The concerns come as ministers face calls to protect Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) for children and young people with SEND. Last month, the education committee recommended the government maintain these plans.
A National Audit Office report previously deemed the SEND system in England “broken,” financially unsustainable, and failing to deliver improved outcomes.Cllr Bill Revans, SEND spokesperson for the County Councils Network, acknowledged the current system “does not work for young people, families and councils alike.”
The Department for Education (DfE) announced last week a delay in planned reforms to the SEND system and other school policies until next year, opting for a “further period of co-creation, testing our proposals with the people who matter most in this reform,” according to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
Cllr Revans expressed “massive disappointment” at the delay, but stressed the importance of using the time to implement “genuine root and branch reform.” School Standards Minister Georgia Gould affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring more children’s needs are met in local schools, stating work is underway and promising continued engagement with families to shape future reforms.”My message to families is that it won’t stop hear. We’re absolutely steadfast to deliver a better system that supports your children at every stage.”
