In January 2024 the Department of Education changed the guidance regarding the funding of school transport costs for children with special needs. The changes were relatively minor and the expectation was that a lot of children living close to their schools [within 3 miles] were just as capable of walking to their school, accompanied, as other children in their year.
Bradford Council failed to inform the parents of children previously entitled to funding that there were likely to be changes for some. Many families with children with special needs were only informed of these changes by Bradford Council at the end of the 2024 Summer term in July that transport was being withdrawn at the start of the new term in September.
Speaking in a debate at Bradford Council’s meeting on 15 October, Conservative Shadow spokesman on Children and Families, Cllr Geoff Winnard said:
“The DofE guidance was changed in January, so why did Bradford Council not get round to advising parents until July that their school transport would not be provided at the start of the September term? This meant affected families could not seek advice on alternative arrangements from schools, who were closed for the summer.
By any standards the way Bradford implemented the new rules was unfair on many families - who should have been given more time to appeal or sort out alternative arrangements.'
Over 130 Bradford families have now submitted appeals against the decision to withdraw free transport to school. These are currently being considered by the Bradford District Appeals Panel but it will take time and in the meantime these families are having to go without any transport support.