Assisted travel reforms to cut costs and support children with Send

Published: 09 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

MPs have been urged to rename “home-to-school transport” to “assisted travel to school” during a public accounts committee session. This shift, witnesses argued, could help better manage parental expectations while addressing the spiralling costs of providing transport for children with special educational needs or disabilities (Send).

Councils remain committed to helping children entitled to support access education, but local authority figures emphasised that this does not require “a door-to-door taxi service” for every child. Evidence presented on Monday highlighted the financial strain caused by current transport arrangements, which have been exacerbated by the legacy of Covid-19. During the pandemic, many children travelled individually for health reasons, a practice that parents are now reluctant to abandon.

Under current regulations, local authorities must provide free transport for children who cannot safely walk to their nearest suitable school due to distance, disability, special educational needs, or safety concerns. According to a recent National Audit Office (NAO) report, England now spends £2.3 billion annually on these services, with transport for children with Send costing five times more because they often require single-occupancy taxis to reach schools further away. Of the 470,000 children benefiting from these schemes, approximately 180,000 have Send.

Witnesses suggested rethinking the structure and terminology of the service to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Rose McArthur, chair of the home-to-school transport working group at the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (Adept), stressed that language shapes expectations. “It does not have to be home-to-school. It could be home to a bus stop, or a walking route to there. We want children to get to education, but this doesn’t need to be a door-to-door taxi service,” she said.

McArthur highlighted that over-provision is built into the current system and called for greater flexibility. She suggested that councils could better utilise commercial bus services and upcoming bus franchising legislation to achieve cost savings while still meeting children’s transport needs.

Amanda Hopgood, chair of the children, young people and families committee at the Local Government Association, supported the renaming to “assisted travel to school.” She added that the legacy of single-occupancy taxis from the pandemic required careful management to help families understand that some arrangements may no longer be necessary for the benefit of the young person.

Anna Bird, chief executive officer at Contact, a charity supporting families with disabled children, raised concerns about the lack of transport access for 16 to 19-year-olds, whose eligibility is discretionary under current policies. Bird emphasised that a fair system should ensure children who need support to access education receive it, regardless of age.

Labour MP Sarah Hall described feedback from parents in her Warrington South constituency, noting that families often feel compelled to fight for the support they are entitled to. “Parents find it demoralising and complex. Information about entitlements is not always clear, and parents’ voices need to be heard more,” she said.

The committee’s discussions point to a broader need for alignment between transport and education services to create an efficient and equitable system. While councils strive to meet statutory obligations, the high costs associated with single-occupancy taxis and extended travel distances for children with Send have prompted calls for reform. The NAO report indicates that the growing financial pressure could be mitigated by re-evaluating service provision, utilising public transport options more effectively, and addressing parental expectations through clearer communication.

Rethinking the current model of home-to-school transport also opens dialogue on the societal expectations created during Covid-19. While health considerations necessitated individual travel arrangements during the pandemic, returning to more sustainable transport solutions requires careful engagement with families to ensure the transition is understood and accepted. Experts suggest that collaborative planning between transport authorities and educational institutions is vital to ensure children can reach schools safely while containing escalating costs.

Overall, MPs were presented with compelling evidence that renaming and restructuring school transport could foster a more sustainable system, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and clarify parental expectations. The term “assisted travel to school” reflects the committee’s emphasis on providing essential support without defaulting to costly, door-to-door services. As discussions continue, stakeholders highlighted the importance of inclusivity, particularly for children with Send, and the need for clear, transparent policies that are adaptable to local contexts.

The committee’s scrutiny underscores the necessity for a balanced approach that addresses fiscal responsibility while maintaining essential educational access. The ongoing debate is likely to shape the design of assisted travel programmes, ensuring that children receive the support they need without imposing unsustainable costs on local authorities. With careful planning, it is possible to align expectations, enhance accessibility, and create a more efficient, equitable transport system that benefits families and communities across England.