‘National strategy’ needed on SEND pupil transport

A MAYOR has called on government to come up with a “nation

al strategy” after it was revealed a council had to spend £4.4m on taking children to school by taxis.

The data, provided by a Freedom of Information request, shows 1,016 Doncaster children were taken to and from school each day by taxis and minibuses provided by a number of firms during the 2021/2022 academic year.

But 25 per cent of the bill – almost £1.2m – is spent on just 101 children who are attending schools outside Doncaster.

Council bosses say the costs have increased due to more children needing trips to specialist schools, some which are outside Doncaster and further afield than South Yorkshire.

Taxi and minibus transportation is provided for a number of reasons. The majority of pupils accessing this form of transport have Special Educational Needs (SEN) and disabilities and are not able to travel to school or college independently or via public transport.

In many cases these children often have longer journeys to make to the most suitable school which can meet their individual needs. Transport is provided for a number of reasons including behavioural and medical needs as well as educational needs.

Mayor Ros Jones said: “This is an issue across the country, and causing significant financial pressures to councils across the country.

“We are seeing continued rising demand for SEND school places when our specialist schools in Doncaster are oversubscribed, meaning that we are having to send a number of children out of authority for their education.

“With the continued reduction in services from private bus companies and lack of government investment in appropriate schools means that Doncaster Council is left to fill the gap to ensure these young people get to school. A national long term strategy is needed to address the increase in need.”