Feb 23, 2025, BBC News: Special needs transport costs go £7m [$8.8] over budget
Central England
Spending on school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has cost Sheffield City Council an extra £7m [$8.8M] on top of its expected budget.
Almost 2,480 SEND pupils use home to school transport in the city – about 1,000 more than pre-pandemic numbers - with the council now spending £22.7m [$29M] to deliver the service.
Councils are required by law to provide free transport to under 16s with SEND who are unable to walk to school.
Sheffield City Council said it had consulted with families on how it could make savings, but one charity said any changes would create financial and emotional stress for families.
'Transport so important'
SEND transport costs are one of the council's biggest overspends.
Jane Wilby, assistant director of finance, told a council meeting: "The council has looked at using travel trainers to promote independence and a shift to personal travel budgets.
"A consultation on post-16 travel support has just concluded to ensure that young people are better prepared for adulthood and to reduce the burden on council costs."
The consultation suggested moving to personal travel budgets, which sees funding given directly to families so they can arrange travel instead of using taxis or minibuses provided by the council.
But, Sheffield Parent Carer Forum said the funding was not enough, warning some young people may be forced to travel independently before they are ready with safeguarding and road safety risks.
The charity said some parents could be forced to leave their jobs to take their children to school or families may feel forced to choose a less appropriate school because its closer to home. . . .
The charity wants the council to save money by reviewing its commissioning arrangements with taxi companies.
The County Councils Network says there has been an increase in pupils eligible for Education, Health and Care Plans, which set out the level of support children can receive, including transport to school.
The number of students on these plans has more than doubled nationally from 240,000 in 2015 to 517,000 in 2023.
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