Change to SEND school transport due to 'pressures'

Families of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could be expected to arrange transport to school themselves if changes to supported travel arrangements go ahead.

Bradford Council has proposed replacing minibus and taxi journeys with personal travel allowances for students.

The changes would affect post-16 learners with disabilities and SEND who attend school or college in the district.

A public consultation is open until 12 January and if the new policies are approved, they would come into force in September 2025.

Under current arrangements, the council covers the cost of taxis for students who would struggle to travel independently.

The organised transport would remain for learners with the most "complex" needs and under-16s in compulsory education would not be affected.

A personal allowance can be spent on the mode of transport preferred by the child's family.

Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said: "This proposal, if agreed, would see more children using a personal travel allowance, rather than council-organised travel arrangements.

"A personal travel allowance gives families and young people more flexibility and choice to decide on the most suitable transport to meet their needs.

"Like a lot of other authorities, we are under financial budget pressures, but at the same time we want to ensure we support our young people and their families in the best way we can so they can have independence.

"This proposal is open to consultation, and we welcome feedback on the proposal at this stage."

Leeds City Council made a decision to stop providing free home to school travel for older teenagers in October after stating that the subsidised provision was not "sustainable".

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