Half of SEND sixth formers out of school - leader

Andy said the needs of his son Brandon, who has complex needs, have been ignored

Up to 50% of sixth form students with special educational needs in Birmingham are not in full time education because of cuts to the home-to-school transport service, a senior education leader said.

The school staff member said 11 of his 48 sixth form students have yet to attend since the start of the new term, while another eight have only done so erratically.

He added many students travel five to 10 miles to get to school, but only one of them, who has profound physical disabilities, had been successful in keeping their home-to-school transport, such as a minibus or taxi.

"My concern is that children will drop out of education. They can't understand why they're not coming to school", he said.

Birmingham City Council has confirmed cuts to its special needs transport budget

Birmingham City Council is making more than £300m savings over two years after effectively declaring itself bankrupt a year ago.

As part of that, it has withdrawn free home-to-school transport for pupils over 16 who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Instead, parents are being offered bus passes, or a personal transport budget to make their own arrangements.

Andy's 17-year-old son Brandon, who is autistic, has received a council-funded minibus from his home in Northfield to his school in Kings Heath (about five miles) since the age of four, but this year he's been offered a bus pass instead.

Unable to travel independently, Brandon's family is paying up to £14 a day for a taxi to take him to school, while Andy juggles work commitments to pick him up at the end of the day.

'Fighting for basic needs'

He said: "We feel frustrated. We're fighting all the time for our children's basic needs, and all of a sudden it's taken away. It isn't about the money, it's about Brandon's safety."

Andy added: "I can tell it's worrying Brandon. He seems down and unsettled. School is a lifeline for him and many others with complex needs. Our children are being ignored."

The family have appealed against the decision, but the council failed to respond within the deadline.

By law, local authorities have to provide home-to-school transport for eligible children aged five to 16 to take them to their nearest qualifying school.

While there is no legal duty on councils covering pupils over 16, many have continued to fund school transport for that age group.

Birmingham City Council said it had carried out an "extensive consultation process" and parents had been made aware of the changes.

"The council has maintained a level of support that enables families to make their own arrangements and has been providing additional support to our most vulnerable students and families," a spokesperson said.