The controversial scrapping of free school transport in Newcastle for post-16 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) looks set to be signed off this month.
Parents were left outraged last year when it emerged that Newcastle City Council was planning to axe its offer to fund home to school travel for SEND children after they reach 16-year-old, which local authority chiefs say they can no longer afford.
Amid fears that the “discriminatory” move would leave some of the city’s most vulnerable youngsters unable to continue in education, the proposal was put on hold last November for further scrutiny.
But councillors are now poised to approve major changes to the service at a cabinet meeting on 20 October.
A report ahead of that meeting confirms that the council is still proposing to end its universal home to school travel provision, saying that it is “not financially viable” to continue with post-16 SEND travel which cost £1.5 million in 2024/25.
Local authorities are legally required to provide free home to school transport to eligible children and young people who are aged five to 16, but there is no such legal duty after the end of the academic year in which a young person reaches age 16.
However, unlike the original proposals, the council says it will now seek to support post-16 learners through other means rather than removing all support entirely.
That includes improving access to independent travel training for those able to use public transport and offering personal travel budget grants, starting at £2,000, on a “case-by-case basis” to support parents and carers with the cost of arranging transport themselves.
The council said that it may still provide some commissioned travel for eligible post-16 learners in exceptional circumstances, with families potentially asked to pay £980-a-year themselves towards that.
There were 213 Newcastle students in receipt of transport assistance to post-16 education as of June this year, while the council says that SEND transport accounts for 10% of an estimated £30 million budget pressure it faces.
A council report says that public consultation on its plans resulted in “strong opposition from most respondents”, most of whom were parents, with the proposed removal or reduction of funded transport labelled “discriminatory and unfair.”
Families warned that it would put an added “practical and emotional burden” on them, especially where parents would have to give up work or juggle complex caring responsibilities, though a minority welcomed the option of personal travel budgets and more targeted support for those with the highest need.
A Newcastle City Council spokesperson said: “We understand that the original proposals to end transport provision for all post-16 students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) caused concern for families across Newcastle.
“For several years, Newcastle City Council has provided transport support beyond our statutory duties which is no longer financially sustainable. Following extensive consultation and engagement with young people, families, and professionals, we are now proposing a revised approach.
“Under the new proposals, families may be asked to contribute to the cost of transport arranged by the Council’s SEND Transport Service. However, this will only apply where a family’s financial circumstances do not meet the criteria for free school meals. Low-income families and those identified in statutory guidance will not be affected by this contribution.
“If a post-16 student is eligible for SEND transport, they will first be assessed for Independent Travel Training (ITT). Where ITT is not appropriate, a Personal Transport Budget (PTB) will be considered. We recognise that neither option will suit every young person or family, and each case will be assessed individually.
“These proposed changes are in line with statutory guidance from the Department for Education and reflect practices adopted by other local authorities. This is not a blanket policy, every application will be considered on its own merits, with consistency and fairness in how decisions are made.
“We are committed to ensuring that all possible avenues of support are explored. This includes helping families access the post-16 bursary where eligible. Our goal is to continue supporting young people with SEND in their education journey, while ensuring our services remain sustainable for the future.”
