The government’s newly announced reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system are already under fire for leaving crucial issues unaddressed. MPs from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are demanding clarity on how the government intends to support local councils grappling with deficits and the soaring costs associated with transporting children to school.
Concerns Over Transport and Financial Burdens
The PAC’s intervention follows the introduction of wide-ranging changes aimed at enhancing inclusivity for children with additional needs while also alleviating financial pressure on local authorities. However, the committee has raised alarms regarding the lack of provisions for home-to-school transport, a significant expenditure that the government has yet to adequately address.
Rachel Gilmour, a member of the PAC, expressed the committee’s cautious optimism regarding the government’s acknowledgment of the SEND crisis but emphasised the need for comprehensive solutions. “A problem this chronic and severe demands a response that does not leave any unanswered questions for children and families,” she stated. Gilmour pointed out that the current system, which relies heavily on taxis, coaches, and buses, costs the government billions annually and remains unaddressed in the latest announcements.
Financial Implications for Councils
Under the new reforms, councils will see 90% of their high-needs deficits from prior years written off, with SEND costs to be managed within the overall government budget starting in 2028. However, this leaves local authorities in a precarious position regarding any deficits incurred before that date.
The County Councils Network has highlighted that the number of children and young people with SEND being transported to school has surged to a record 206,000, incurring costs of £2 billion last year alone. A recent report from the National Audit Office revealed that councils exceeded their budget for home-to-school transport by £415 million in 2023/24, with spending escalating by 70% since 2015/16.
The Need for Comprehensive Solutions
The Department for Education (DfE) is banking on the SEND reforms to mitigate transport issues by fostering greater inclusivity in local schools, thereby reducing the need for long-distance commutes. However, the PAC’s report warns that even if these reforms succeed, tangible savings may take considerable time to materialise.
Additionally, the committee has indicated that the DfE lacks insight into how transport accessibility affects student attendance and the challenges parents face, particularly once their children turn 16. Deteriorating local bus services, especially in rural areas, have exacerbated the dependency on council-provided transport.
The PAC has suggested that local bus franchising could offer a solution, enabling councils to manage routes and fares more effectively, thus potentially replacing costly transport contracts with more affordable options.
A Call for Government Action
Cllr Bill Revans, SEND spokesperson for the County Councils Network, warned that if no changes are made, councils could find themselves spending £3.4 billion on SEND transport by 2030. While he acknowledged the potential of the government’s SEND reforms to curb costs, Revans cautioned that county and rural councils are under greater financial strain due to the necessity of transporting students over longer distances.
He urged the government to reconsider financial support for councils facing mounting transport costs, which play a significant role in their overall funding shortfalls, estimated to reach £11 billion.
Why it Matters
The effectiveness of these SEND reforms will likely have long-term implications for local councils, families, and children with additional needs. As the government navigates the complexities of implementing these changes, it faces mounting pressure to address the unresolved issues surrounding transport and funding. Failure to do so could hinder access to education for vulnerable children, exacerbating existing inequalities within the system.
