Wakefield Council is inviting residents, families, schools and partners to comment on proposed changes to its Home to School Transport policies.
The consultation opened on Monday 14 September and runs until Wednesday 21 October 2026. The council says the proposals are designed to ensure the service remains fair, sustainable and aligned with updated national guidance.
Why the review is happening
Demand for SEND services and transport support has changed significantly in recent years, according to the council. The review comes as the council assesses how to meet rising need while keeping the service sustainable.
What is being proposed
The consultation includes proposals relating to post-16 transport, transport for non-compulsory school-age children and Alternative Provision transport.
Under the proposals, Personal Transport Budgets would become the default offer for eligible post-16 learners, with Council-arranged transport available only in exceptional circumstances.
Discretionary transport support for children below compulsory school age would cease. Alternative Provision transport would normally only be provided at the start and end of the standard school day.
Investment in SEND services
Alongside the consultation, Wakefield Council continues to invest in its SEND Sufficiency Programme to help more children and young people access support closer to home. Over the past three years, the council has invested more than £11 million, creating more than 250 new specialist school places and strengthening inclusion within mainstream schools.
Since 2021, more than 47 schools and settings have received funding through the High Needs Capital Grant Scheme to create more inclusive learning environments, including sensory rooms, nurture spaces and specialist learning areas.
What happens next
Feedback from the consultation will be analysed before recommendations are considered by Cabinet in February 2027.
