Disabled students 'picked on by council' over changes to transport policy

A outraged mother has accused a county council of "picking on" children with disabilities.Caroline Hedley, 52, has raised concerns she may have to leave her career in order to ferry her 18-year-old son Thomas, who has complex needs and learning disabilities, to and from school, after his subsidised transport was withdrawn. Kent County Council are making changes to transport policies for post-16 pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).The council has argued there is no automatic right for over-16s to receive free transport in national guidance, even for those with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Mrs Hedley, a solicitor, is now appealing her case to the council after her son lost access to a free minibus ride.The family has instead been offered a £4,000 a year personal transport budget (PTB) to find an alternative.The mother-of-two told KentLive: "Whilst £4,000 seems like a good deal for some people or seems like an awful lot of money but actually it's not when you have to think about getting a disabled person to school.The Bidborough resident said parents of SEND pupils were already "overloaded" who were now "upset because they don't know what their arrangements are going to be next year".She added that Thomas would not be able to take public transport to his special needs school in Tonbridge on his own by himself, and estimated a taxi would cost £250 a week."There is a reason why no one took up the PTBs – because it never worked for anyone," she added.She has been supported by Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Ellis, who said he was calling for a "rethink" on the policy change - which had resulted in over 16 SEND transport appeals.He said: "Removing a minibus, for heaven's sake, that's going to be a massive disturbance to the whole family's lives."LATEST IN EDUCATION:British schoolchildren 'priced out' of top boarding schools and replaced with international pupilsPrimary schoolchildren told to be mindful of their ‘white privilege’ under ‘anti-racism’ driveGCSE French exam sparks ‘woke social engineering’ row over ‘bisexual little sister’ questionDriving her soon to school would impact Mrs Hedley's ability to work as it would take up to two hours daily.She said: "I would have to give up my job to take my son to school."There is nothing more ridiculous than that."Kent County Council cabinet member for education and skills, Beverley Fordham, said: "I understand that changes to post‐16 transport may concern families, especially those supporting young people with SEND."National guidance is clear there is no automatic right to free transport after age 16 – even for young people with an EHCP. Local authorities must decide what support is needed."These changes followed a public consultation between January and March 2025, with feedback and an Equality Impact Assessment carefully considered. Where appropriate, the approach supports young people to build the skills, confidence and independence needed for adult life."Travelling independently, where safe, is an important step towards further education, employment and greater self‐reliance. We recognise this will not be suitable for everyone, particularly those with more complex needs, and support will still be considered where necessary."Support for learners with SEND remains a priority. Help may be provided where needed to access education, including in exceptional cases, with decisions made case by case and a clear appeals process."We know these changes may be difficult for some families and remain committed to helping young people access education." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter