Bradford Council Proposes Changes to SEND School Transport

Should proposed alterations to supported travel arrangements proceed, families of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) may be required to organize their children’s school transportation independently. Bradford Council has put forward a proposal to substitute current minibus and taxi services with personal travel allowances for eligible students. These modifications would impact post-16 learners with disabilities and SEND who are enrolled in schools or colleges within the district. A public consultation period is currently underway, concluding on 12 January, and if the new policies receive approval, their implementation is slated for September 2025. Presently, the council bears the expense of taxi services for students who face difficulties traveling without assistance. Nevertheless, organized transport services would continue for learners identified as having the most “complex” needs, and students under 16 years old in compulsory education would remain unaffected. A personal allowance offers families the flexibility to use funds for their child’s preferred mode of transportation. Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council’s executive member for children and families, stated: “This proposal, if agreed, would see more children using a personal travel allowance, rather than council-organised travel arrangements.” She added: “A personal travel allowance gives families and young people more flexibility and choice to decide on the most suitable transport to meet their needs.” Councillor Duffy also commented: “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.” She concluded: “This proposal is open to consultation, and we welcome feedback on the proposal at this stage.” In a related development, Leeds City Council decided in October to discontinue free home-to-school travel for older teenagers, citing the “unsustainable” nature of the subsidized service.