SEND school transport cuts ‘could force South Gloucestershire youngsters out of education’

Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) could be forced out of schools and colleges because of South Gloucestershire Council cuts to transport from home, parents fear. The authority will stop laying on services for post-16 SEND students and instead give families a mileage allowance to make their own travel arrangements.

The move, approved by cabinet on Monday, February 3, will save the council £356,000 a year. But parents are worried about the impact on their finances and mental health and that the changes could limit their children’s life chances.

Three-quarters of respondents to 11 weeks of public consultation last year backed retaining the current system, with only 15 per cent in favour of switching to an expenses-based system. A report to the meeting said: “Those who oppose the proposals quote concerns around the practical and financial challenges of arranging transport themselves.

“These issues are particularly important in South Gloucestershire because of the long distances many young people need to travel to attend a setting which meets their needs, associated with the lack of public transport options. Therefore, the findings emphasise the need for the council’s officers and councillors to consider the complexities of individual families’ situations in agreeing a way forward.

“Many respondents highlighted the practical challenges of transporting young people so far to get to and from school, quoting conflicts with work schedules, care and home-to-school transport for other dependents. They anticipate negative impacts on family finances and mental health and wellbeing should the proposals go ahead.

“Despite assurances about support for families with extenuating circumstances, some respondents believe that switching to an expenses-based model would lead to young people being forced out of education or pressured to prioritise a local setting over one which best meets their needs, limiting their life chances.” The report said the council was required by law to provide school transport for youngsters aged five to 16 but that it was only discretionary for older students.

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It said demand had increased significantly and that £1.4million of the service’s total annual spending of £10.9million was for post-16 journeys, including families who chose schools and colleges a long way from home because of tailored support to meet their needs. The report said: “Clearly it is essential that priority is given to providing legally mandated services over discretionary ones, and therefore with limited financial resources it is difficult to sustain the current arrangements for providing a discretionary offer.”

South Gloucestershire Council education, learning and skills director Hilary Smith told cabinet that 30 per cent of parents already received a 45p-per-mile allowance to arrange their own trips and that this would become the default position. She said there would also be an appeals process for families to apply for extra support and challenge decisions, while youngsters would still be entitled to concessionary passes to take up spare seats on transport for compulsory school-age pupils.

Cllr Liz Brennan (Conservative, Frenchay & Downend) said: “It will be really worrying for a lot of parents. This is such a difficult time when you’re transitioning from 16 to 17 to 18.

“We need more reassurance and to understand specific services that are going to be impacted by these changes and what advice you will give parents who currently use them. The report suggests you are still in an exploratory stage at looking at partnerships with parents and colleges but your specific actions haven’t been identified before making the cuts.”

Ms Smith said officers would engage with families interested in car shares and that they would be supported as much as possible in making the arrangements. Council co-leader and cabinet member for education Cllr Ian Boulton (Labour, Staple Hill & Mangotsfield) said: “We’ve gone through a lot of soul-searching on this with officers and cabinet colleagues to find a way we can balance the books but also provide the service that some children will undoubtedly need, which is why I’m pleased we’re able to review and update the policy regarding appeals.

“I hope this provides support for those that really do need it while dealing with the cost constraints we’re having to manage.” Cabinet member for children and young people Cllr Simon Johnson (Lib Dem, Pilning & Severn Beach) said: “We all recognise how difficult and emotive this subject is.

“South Gloucestershire Council has done a great job to provide support, funding and resource in really difficult circumstances for as long as we possibly could. Communication is going to be key.

“It’s really important we have an ongoing dialogue with all these young people and their families.” The cabinet report said neighbouring authorities had already removed most – and in some cases, all – discretionary transport.

The changes come into force from September.