A recent Guardian investigation revealed that councils in England are allocating, on average, double the budget for transporting children with special educational needs (SEND) compared to their road maintenance expenditures. Financial pressures are mounting, with many councils deeming their SEND obligations unsustainable due to soaring transport costs. All but eight of the 43 councils that responded reported higher spending on SEND transport than on road upkeep. Notably, the rise in students requiring transport, driven by increasing education, health and care plans (EHCPs), exacerbates budget constraints and creates tension between councils and parents seeking necessary support for their children.
The rising costs of providing transportation for SEND pupils have led many councils to report that their financial obligations under the SEND system are unsustainable.
With a significant increase in students requiring transport, especially heightened by the surge in EHCPs, councils are now facing enormous financial challenges.
The evidence from 43 councils shows that transport costs for SEND pupils exceed their road maintenance budgets, highlighting the growing financial strain on local authorities.
As more parents secure EHCPs for additional support, the transport demands have escalated, leading to fierce competition for resources between councils and families.
#special-educational-needs #school-transport #councils-budget #financial-challenges #education-health-and-care-plans
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