June 22, 2024, Yorks Evening Post: Leeds Council could axe ‘financially unsustainable’ £4.5m [$5.7M] a year travel costs for SEND students
N. England
A consultation will be launched on school transport for over 16s with special needs as the council seeks to cut costs.
Leeds City Council will review its provision of discretionary travel help for teenagers with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).
The authority said the current system may not be affordable after the number of post-16 SEND students using the service doubled since 2015.
A council report said the authority had a legal duty to provide transport for eligible pupils of compulsory school age.
There was no obligation to provide transport for older students, but the council was providing assistance for some post-16 SEND learners. . . .
The report said: “The current model of provision of assistance can often be restrictive and limiting for families who have transport arrangements decided for them.
“It is also financially unsustainable for the council.”
Leeds City Council’s Executive Board agreed to press ahead with a four-week public consultation on the plans at a meeting on Wednesday (June 19). . . .
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