Recommendation 12

The Department told us that the biggest driver of cost was SEND provision and described successful SEND reform as the single thing that would make the biggest difference. It told us that children and young people with education, health and care (EHC) plans or in special schools travel further to their educational setting, and, if successful, reform will allow more children to attend an inclusive school that is nearby.23 By identifying needs earlier and more effectively in local settings, the Department expects fewer children to need transport to distant specialist provision. When we asked the Department how and when the SEND reforms would start to impact transport costs, the Department told us of the work that was ongoing but could not give a definitive answer.24 The government had initially planned to set out its approach to SEND reform in a Schools White Paper in autumn 2025 but in October 2025 said it would publish early in the new year.25 The proposals have now been published and are now subject to a consultation period, which will close on 18 May 2026.26 Even if successful, it could be a long time before SEND reforms translate into savings on school transport.27 Understanding the impact of home to school transport on attendance