Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will conduct a review of the potential impact on families of local authority post-16 SEND transport policies that refuse transport if exceptional financial hardship is not demonstrated but provide no means-testing process, financial assessment form, or opportunity to submit such evidence.

The department recognises the importance of ensuring that transport arrangements enable young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to access education and training.

Local authorities are responsible for determining what post-16 transport and financial support is necessary and must have regard to the department’s statutory guidance. In doing so, councils must act reasonably, consider all relevant matters and specifically consider the needs of young people with SEND.

Local authority transport policy statements must clearly explain how a young person or parent can appeal if they disagree with a transport decision, as well as the further avenues of complaint available if they remain dissatisfied after the local process has been completed.

The department undertakes annual compliance checks of local authority transport policy statements and keeps the statutory guidance under review. The department has not undertaken a specific assessment of the consistency or adequacy of arrangements made by local authorities for collecting and considering evidence of financial hardship.