Consultation to explore cheaper SEND transport

A consultation has been launched on proposed changes to council-funded transport for 16-25s receiving special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support.

Wiltshire Council said rising costs and demand for transport to education facilities meant it needed to consider swapping taxis and minibuses for options such as bus passes.

The consultation mirrors a national trend – a recent parliamentary report found spending on SEND transport for over-16s was growing proportionately faster than that for under-16s.

Councillor Jon Hubbard said the public was being invited to share views on "sustainable" travel options that allow young people to "build confidence, independence and vital life skills".

Hubbard said: "Post-16 transport plays a crucial role for many young people with SEND and their families, and this consultation gives us the chance to look carefully at how we provide travel assistance so we can plan for the future in the best possible way."

The council said it provided assistance for 428 post-16 learners who have SEND and an education, health and care plan (EHCP), at a cost of around £2.3m a year.

It added that about 80% of all transport it provided for the purpose was either contracted taxis or minibuses.

Alternate options being proposed include the provision of bus passes and a mileage allowance for parents or carers.

The consultation is due to run until 15 April.

Jackie Fieldwick is the CEO of Brunel Academies Trust, which runs schools across Wiltshire. She said: "This is a really difficult situation that we're all desperately trying to navigate, the council included.

"SEND transport is one of the most costly elements [of SEND funding], particularly somewhere like Wiltshire where you've got such a large authority.

"We never want to see young people going without provision, but [the financial situation] might mean having to look at different ways of doing that."

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