On Monday 14 September 2026 Swindon Borough Council opened a public consultation on a proposal to charge students aged 16 to 18 an annual contribution for its SEND home-to-school transport. The consultation closed on Monday 26 October.
What was proposed?
- The transport is currently free for this age group. 115 students aged 16 to 18 use it.
- Young people wanting to use it from September 2027 would pay an annual contribution. The announcement did not give the amount.
- The council said it is not legally required to provide the service, receives no government funding for it, and that a charge would bring Swindon in line with many other local authorities.
The council said it faces significant financial pressures and is reviewing all non-statutory services for savings. The proposals followed an earlier consultation with families and professionals, and the council said it had been engaging with groups including Swindon SEND Families Voice.
How could people respond?
Parents and carers were to be sent a letter inviting them to take part, and the consultation was hosted on the Swindon Local Offer website.
Councillor Kate Tomlinson, Cabinet Member for Children and Education, said: "It is incredibly important that everyone affected by these proposals takes the opportunity to share their views."
What happens next?
The council said no final decision would be made until later in the year.
Source: Swindon Borough Council.