William Eichler 04 July 2024

Council pays family £1,500 after school transport failure

Council pays family £1,500 after school transport failure  image
Image: alexfan32 / Shutterstock.com.

A family in Surrey has been paid £1,500 in compensation after the county council failed to provide school transport for a child with complicated medical needs.

An investigation by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found that the child missed 27 days of school and special needs assistance, causing his mother and family ‘avoidable’ pain.

A spokesperson for the council apologised for any distress caused before adding that a lack of suitable providers meant that some children have had to ‘wait longer for appropriate arrangements than we would like.’

They added: ‘Whilst we always do our utmost to process home to school transport applications in a timely manner, we have seen a 64% increase in education, health and care needs assessment requests across Surrey since 2020, which has naturally had a knock on effect with a year on year increase in demand for Home to School Travel Assistance (HTSTA) (as many children and young people with an education, health and care plan require HTSTA). This has resulted in a predicted overspend for this service.’

The cost of school transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has increased from £727m in 2019 to £1.4bn in 2024.

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Family Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £27,269 - £30,060 (Pay Award Pending)
Do you want to work in an ambitious Local Authority with strong leadership and partnership commitment to Children’s Services? Durham County Council a Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

SENDIASS Support Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen within the busy and fast paced SEND Information, Advice, Support Service (SENDIASS). The service has Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £29,093 - £32,654 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Leader

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £31,586 - £35,235 (Pay Award Pending)
Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650- £33,483
Class Teacher MPS 1 -2   £31,650- £33,483 Temporary – required from Monday 1st September 2025 (subject to DBS) until 31st August 2026 25 hours per wee Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner