Council in Leeds begins public discussion on transportation assistance for children with special educational needs and disabilities
Leeds City Council Launches Public Consultation on Transport Assistance for Post-16 SEND Learners
Leeds City Council has initiated a public consultation on changes to transport assistance for post-16 learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The consultation runs until 23 July 2024, and the feedback received will be presented to the executive board in October 2024.
The proposed changes aim to promote independence through travel for SEND individuals, addressing the financial challenges facing Leeds City Council and the increasing demand for transport assistance. Cllr Hayden, executive member for children and families, emphasizes that the council remains committed to supporting SEND individuals in Leeds, but the current level of transport support is not sustainable given the financial challenges and increasing demand.
Senior councillors approved the plans at an executive board meeting last week. The council may ask for a contribution towards transport costs, and students may be helped to make their own transport arrangements via a transport allowance. Support for post-19 learners may be limited to post-16 only. Consideration will be given to travel distances to education settings.
The local authority is not statutorily obligated to provide transport for post-16 learners with SEND, unlike for eligible children of compulsory age. However, Leeds City Council receives funding through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for local transport improvements, which may underpin policy changes or enhancements in transport services, including those for SEND learners.
Regional engagement in transport policy and school bus consultations in West Yorkshire may also be relevant, as local authorities often conduct consultation exercises to update transport policies affecting young people, including those in post-16 education.
For precise information on the consultation details and outcomes for changes in transport assistance for post-16 SEND learners by Leeds City Council, it is recommended to consult Leeds City Council’s official website or contact their transport or education departments directly, as this specific data is not present in the provided search results.
Cllr Hayden encourages as many people as possible to share their views during the consultation, shaping decisions made in this area. The decision on implementation is expected from September 2025.
[1] West Yorkshire Combined Authority Funding (2025-2026): https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/funding-and-grants/grants-and-funding/current-funding-and-grants/local-transport-plan-4-funding/ [3] West Yorkshire School Bus Consultations: https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/travel/school-travel/school-bus-consultations/
- The West Yorkshire Combined Authority's funding for 2025-2026 could potentially support the policy changes or enhancements in Leeds City Council's transport services, including those for SEND learners.
- The local transport policy and school bus consultations in West Yorkshire, as conducted by other local authorities, may guide the transportation aspect of education-and-self-development policies, including Leeds City Council's proposals for post-16 SEND learners.
- The finance department may implement a policy requiring contributions towards transport costs, contributing to the industry of transportation, while facilitating the regeneration of Leeds City Council's financial stability and sustainability.
