Consultation over fee for special needs transport

Parents and carers are being consulted over a proposal to impose a fee for transporting older students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Wolverhampton.

The policy was to be introduced in 2020 following consultation but was halted due to the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, the city council said.

Fresh consultation is now being held, and if the move is approved, it would bring the council in line with neighbouring authorities who also charge a fee, it added.

The charges would apply to students moving into post-16 SEND education from September and those already in post-16 SEND education.

Payments would be spread over three terms with a reduction for low-income families.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for transport, said the council was one of the last to continue to offer free transport for that age group.

"Most authorities charge a contribution due to there being no legal requirement to provide post-16 transport," he said.

"We remain committed to ensuring young people lead independent, healthy lives, feel safe and secure and achieve their full potential.

"While in an ideal world we would not need to consider introducing charges, the proposals to introduce a contribution towards the cost of post-16 SEND travel align with, or are less than, neighbouring authorities."

The consultation runs until 13 June.

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