Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the absence of legal requirement for local authorities to provide free transport for young people with SEND beyond the age of 16 on (a) parental employment and (b) the future employment prospects of those children.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

Local authorities are responsible for transport to education and training for 16-19 year-olds. Post-16 transport guidance requires local authorities to make the necessary transport arrangements or provide financial support to ensure young people can participate in education or training. The needs of young people with SEND should be specifically considered and the arrangements put in place for each group must be documented in local authority transport policy statements.

For example, in the constituency of Chipping Barnet, Barnet Council can offer alternative options where public transport is not appropriate, such as a personal transport allowance, independent travel training or bespoke options on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to their statutory responsibilities, many local authorities offer some form of subsidised transport which, combined with the 16-19 bursary, has been intended to provide financial support to students from low-income households. These decisions are best made locally in consideration of local needs, the resources available and other local circumstances.