Newcastle Council Postpones Decision on Post-16 SEND Transport Cuts

A determination regarding the provision of school transportation for pupils over 16 years old with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has been deferred. Councillors at Newcastle City Council were scheduled to deliberate a proposal to discontinue complimentary home-to-school transport for these older students on Monday. However, the local authority postponed this agenda item to facilitate “additional financial modelling.” Emma Davies, whose 15-year-old daughter Ruby is set to lose the free travel next year if the plans are enacted, described the proposals as “worrying.” The local authority stated that it currently costs approximately £131,000 each month to fund the travel for 189 post-16 SEND students. It also indicated a need to reduce its budget by £24m in the upcoming financial year and affirmed that it is not under a “legal obligation” to provide free SEND travel for those over 16. Councillor Lesley Storey commented: “The pressures on the SEND transport budget have since increased again, meaning the money simply isn’t there to offer provision above and beyond our statutory duty.” She explained that delaying the meeting on this matter would also allow councillors to review the government’s anticipated policy statement on local government funding, expected in late November. “If there is no clear scope for additional funding specifically for SEND transport in that statement, then we will likely have to move forward with this proposal,” she stated. Ms Davies expressed concern that her daughter Ruby, who has Down’s syndrome, would struggle to travel independently to school. Under the council’s proposals, new post-16 learners would lose access to the scheme from next September. Ruby experiences partial sight and hearing loss, which Ms Davies noted would make it challenging for her to utilize the two bus routes required for her commute to school. She added that the complimentary transport rendered life “less difficult” for Ruby, along with the families and caregivers supporting SEND learners. “I think if we’re hoping to provide equality to children as much as possible… providing a good, fair and accessible education is a part of that,” she remarked. Councillor Storey affirmed that it was the council’s duty to “deliver a balanced budget.” She also stated that “regardless of any decision,” the local authority intends to persist in expanding its “independent travel training programme” for young individuals requiring additional support.