We, the undersigned parents, carers, and residents of Halton, are deeply concerned about the proposed changes to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport and support being considered by Halton Borough Council (HBC).

The Proposed Changes;

The Council has outlined plans that include:

1. Promoting the use of personal travel budgets, replacing door-to-door transport with direct payments.

2. Expanding Independent Travel Training (ITT) schemes for SEND children.

3. Introducing centralised pick-up points instead of home pick-ups.

4. Reviewing eligibility for SEND transport when a child turns eight years old.

5. Limiting post-16 transport to “exceptional circumstances” and doubling parental contributions from £370 to £750 per year (£375 for low-income families).

Why We Object

These proposals are unfair, unsafe, and unlawful:

1. They discriminate against disabled children and families.

Under the Equality Act 2010, councils must make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils.

Removing or restricting transport creates barriers to education, particularly for children with autism, mobility issues, sensory processing disorders, or learning disabilities.

2. They breach the Education Act 1996 (Section 508B).

This law requires councils to provide free home-to-school transport where a child’s SEND or disability prevents them from walking to school safely.

Centralised pick-ups and travel reviews risk denying legal entitlement.

3. They contradict the Children and Families Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice.

The Code requires councils to act in partnership with families, base decisions on individual needs, and promote inclusion.

These blanket policies ignore those duties and cause distress to children and parents.

4. They increase safeguarding risks.

Centralised pick-ups and early reviews create unnecessary danger — increasing risks of bullying, absconding, or emotional trauma for vulnerable children.

5. They shift financial burden onto struggling families.

Raising post-16 transport contributions during a cost-of-living crisis is punitive and will exclude children from continuing education or training.

6. They fail to deliver value for money.

The council claims to be saving money, yet continues to spend heavily on:

54 councillors (three per ward) — far above average for a borough of Halton’s size.

A ceremonial Mayor with a chauffeur-driven car, costing tens of thousands annually.

The ongoing costs of the DCBL Stadium.

SEND tribunals and mediations — often caused by the council’s own unlawful refusals to assess or issue EHC Plans.

In almost all cases (nationally 96–98%), parents win, costing councils £8,000–£10,000 per case.

If HBC followed lawful procedures and worked collaboratively with parents and professionals, it could save hundreds of thousands of pounds in legal and tribunal costs — funds that could directly support SEND children instead.

Our Demands:

 

We call on Halton Borough Council to:

 

1. Withdraw or suspend all proposed SEND transport changes pending a full lawful review.

2. Ensure all SEND transport decisions are based on individual need, not blanket policy or financial targets. 

3. Conduct a lawful Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) before any implementation.

4. Review internal spending — including councillor allowances, mayoral expenses, and stadium costs — before cutting essential services.

5. Comply with statutory duties under:

Education Act 1996 (s.508B–C),

Children and Families Act 2014,

Equality Act 2010, and

SEND Code of Practice 2015

6. Work transparently with parents and schools to develop fair, needs-led, and lawful policies. 

We Believe

 

Every child deserves safe, accessible, and dignified transport to school.

Every family deserves to be treated lawfully and with respect.

Halton Borough Council must not balance its budget on the backs of disabled children.

 

Signed,

 

Parents, Carers, SEND Professionals, and Residents of Halton