Disabled teen refused school transport due to unfair ‘loophole’ in English law
2 mins read
Thursday 28 August 2025
This news story applies in England only.
Ramandeep’s son Harry, who has Down’s syndrome and learning disabilities, can’t use public transport and relies on taxis to get to school.
But when he turned 16, his council stopped providing transport support almost overnight.
Ramandeep said: “Nothing in Harry’s needs had changed. There was absolutely nothing apart from the fact he turned 16.”
Disabled young people like Harry are expected to stay in education until they’re 18. Yet government guidance in England leaves post-16 school transport at the discretion of local authorities.
This “loophole” in the law, combined with a crisis in council funding, means many teenagers – who often have to travel much further to a school or college that meets their needs – are being refused the transport support they rely on.
“Being the fighter that I am, I took the local authority to appeal,” Ramandeep explained. “I lost at first appeal but won at second appeal. The local authority has awarded me a personal transport budget, and I receive just under £10 a day to get Harry to school, which is 10 miles away. But the actual cost of the taxis is £46 per day.
“The council seem to think that that’s appropriate. They haven’t taken into account that I’m a single parent, and that I’m trying really hard to work. All they see are costs.”
Sign our letter calling for a fairer system
Without transport, parents are having to give up jobs to drive their child themselves. Young people are missing out on vital education. And families are struggling under increased financial pressure.
We’ve teamed up with Ramandeep and thousands of other parent carers to campaign for a fairer transport system where decisions are based on need – not age.
You can support our campaign by adding your name to our letter to the Schools Minister.
Find out more about Contact’s school transport campaign and how else you can get involved.
You can also find advice and information on school transport across the UK on our website, including advice on challenging school transport policies in England.
