Recommendation 48

Local authorities in England are not legally required to provide free transport for the majority post-16 students with SEND, leading to inconsistent and often inadequate support. Financial pressures have 99 caused many councils to restrict eligibility and reduce services, making access to education more difficult for affected students. Families face complex application processes and increasing financial burdens. We have also heard about the benefits of offering young people travel training, including building independent life skills and saving costs of home to school transport. (Conclusion, Paragraph 185)