Luke and Ryan have school places, but can’t get there
2 mins read
Tuesday 23 September 2025
A few weeks into the new school year, and children across the country will be settling in to the new routine.
Not Luke or Ryan.
They have a school place, and they want to go. They just don’t have transport to get there.
Because they are over 16, their transport has changed. The taxi and school bus that they have relied on for years has been stopped. Now their families, one in the South West and one in the Midlands, are trying to work out how to get their sons to their school and continue with their careers.
This is more of a juggle because both boys are disabled and have complex needs. They can’t go to the local school, and they can’t travel independently. But they need their education.
What’s the problem?
Young people like Luke and Ryan 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 just to get to a school or college that meets their needs – are being refused the transport support they rely on.
Join our campaign
That’s why we’re joining a group of parent carers campaigning to “Close the Loophole” – for a fairer system where transport decisions are based on need, not age. You can join the campaign simply by adding your name to the letter to the minister.
If your young person aged 16-18 years is missing education, or you are having to miss work or face the cost of transport yourself because of a change to council transport please get in touch: [email protected]
Can we help?
If you’re facing difficulties with school/college transport for children of any age take a look at our transport information online and post-16 school and college transport in England: Your questions answered.
Get in touch with our helpline if you would like to speak to an advisor for individual help and advice.
