Families in Swindon are being asked for their views on plans to introduce an annual charge for young people aged 16 to 18 who use the council’s Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) home-to-school transport service.
The transport is currently provided free of charge, with 115 students aged between 16 and 18 currently using the service.
However, Swindon Borough Council says providing transport for this age group is not a legal requirement and the service receives no government funding.
Under the proposals, young people who choose to use the transport from September 2027 would be required to make an annual contribution.
The council says the proposal would bring Swindon into line with many other local authorities.
No decision has yet been made on whether charges will be introduced. The consultation will run until Monday, 26 October, with the council saying the views received will be considered before any final decision is taken later this year.
The consultation follows an initial exercise carried out in January last year, which gathered feedback from families and professionals.
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said it was important for those affected to take part.
“It is incredibly important that everyone affected by these proposals takes the opportunity to share their views.”
She said parents and carers would receive letters inviting them to participate, while the council had also been engaging with groups including Swindon SEND Families Voice.
The consultation comes as the council continues to face significant financial pressures and reviews its non-statutory services in an effort to identify potential savings.
Cllr Tomlinson said: “We’re operating in a challenging financial climate, but it is vital that we hear from those affected so their feedback can be carefully considered before any final decisions are taken.”
The consultation is available through the Swindon Local Offer website and closes on Monday, 26 October.
