Luke, a 16-year-old autistic student with ADHD and a learning disability, is at risk of being unable to continue his education after Somerset Council altered his transport arrangements. Until July, Luke traveled to school using a specialist taxi service staffed with a driver and trained escort—essential support for his safety and wellbeing. However, the council has since shifted to providing only a Personal Travel Payment of 50p per mile, far below the actual cost of transport.
Luke’s parents, both disabled and unable to drive, say the new arrangement is unaffordable. They have found just one provider capable of meeting Luke’s complex needs, but its cost is an overwhelming £96 per journey—an expense they cannot meet. They warn that without adequate transport, Luke will be excluded from education starting September.
Somerset Council’s Post-16 Transport Policy states that travel assistance after age 16 is only available in “exceptional circumstances.” Though the council acknowledges its financial discretion in providing support, it says contributions are limited to what is affordable. Luke’s family stresses that this approach ignores his genuine needs.
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Tatjana, Luke’s mother, emphasizes the coordinated efforts by the family, health professionals, and the school to secure appropriate transport. She warns, “Luke needs this specialist transport to attend school safely. Without it, he will be excluded from education and lose critical progress we’ve worked hard to achieve.”
Luke’s condition includes low road safety awareness and episodes of extreme aggression, which the previous taxi arrangement helped manage. Both a consultant paediatrician and an NHS safeguarding professional have highlighted the necessity of specialist transport for Luke’s health and safety.
With only days before the school term begins, Luke remains without a viable way to get to his placement, risking becoming NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). His parents fear the loss of education will exacerbate his behaviour and undo his development.
Under the Equality Act, local authorities must consider how decisions affect disabled children. Somerset Council’s current policy allows for exceptions, but the family feels these provisions are being inadequately applied in Luke’s case.
A council spokesperson said: “Somerset Council is committed to a fair education system, especially for vulnerable children. Post-16 SEND transport funding is discretionary and contributed within affordability limits. Our policies are regularly reviewed and aligned with legal duties and practices in other authorities.”