SEND transport changes in store for some students

Some students age 16 and above with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will be expected to use public transport instead of taxis and minibuses under new plans.

Wiltshire Council's cabinet voted for a new travel assistance policy, where public transport will be the first option for post-16 learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) from September.

However, Cabinet member for children's services, SEND, and education and skills, Councillor John Hubbard, said every case would be "treated on its own merit", with taxis or minibuses remaining available if needed, following individual assessment.

The move is estimated to save more than £400,000 in the current financial year.

In a meeting last week, Hubbard said it was "a difficult and controversial item", and it was "not about financial savings" but "getting young people travel-ready".

The council is legally required to provide free home to school transport for eligible children of compulsory school age, but there is no equivalent law for those aged 16 and above.

However, Wiltshire Council currently provides discretionary transport assistance, based on household income-dependent contributions, to 431 post-16 students at an annual cost of approximately £2.3m.

A charge for all post-16 transport requests will continue to be applied from September 2026. A standard charge of £760 for SEND students will be in place alongside a reduced charge of £350 for students from low income households.

A recent parliamentary report found spending on SEND transport for over-16s was growing proportionately faster than that for those under 16.

The shift away from "designated taxis" is expected to save the council more than £400,000 in 2026/27, and nearly £300,000 in 2027/28.

Jackie Fieldwick is CEO of Brunel Academies Trust, which runs schools across Wiltshire:

"I can see it from both perspectives; Wiltshire is aiming to work closely with parents/carers [who] have concerns because actually using public transport post-16 can be really challenging," she said.

"But the reality is it's a good life skill to learn for the next stage leading to greater independence."

The move follows a public consultation where 187 responses, with some raising concerns about travel in rural areas, safety and anxiety and the impact on employment.

Hubbard acknowledged public transport in parts of Wiltshire is "infrequent" and "not a viable option" for some.

Travel training will be provided to support young people to travel safely and independently and, in some cases, spare seats on existing council‑contracted school transport may be offered at a chargeable rate.

"I'm genuinely proud that we have a system in Wiltshire where every child has an equal opportunity to receive an education, and I wouldn't want to be part of a system that stripped that away," Hubbard said.

Correction 22 May: In a previous version of this article the headline stated that free transport is to end for some SEND students. This has been updated to state SEND transport changes are in store for some students. We have also updated the article to make clear that Wiltshire Council's cabinet voted for a new travel assistance policy, where public transport will be the first option for post-16 learners with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) from September and to add in further details on this plan. We have also included that post 16 discretionary travel costs to the council are based on household income dependant contributions.

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