Cumberland struggles to provide SEND Home To School Transport
In June 2023 there were 572 SEND pupils and the number had risen to 816 by March 2026
Last updated 25th Jun 2026
Cumberland Council’s Home To School Transport service continues to face increased financial pressure due to increased demand and a rise in numbers of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Members of the people overview and scrutiny committee are due to meet at Allerdale House in Workington to get an update from Andy Smart, the council’s senior manager for home to school transport.
According to his presentation the data indicates a rise mostly in SEND demand, which is in line with increasing numbers of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) both in the council area and nationally. It adds: “The data demonstrates a 34 per cent increase in SEND demand from December 2024 to March 2026.”
In June 2023 there were 572 SEND pupils and the number had risen to 816 by March 2026 – during the same period the number using the service rose from 5033 to 5097.
And, according to the report, costs for Social Care Exceptional Transport have risen from £536 per day in 2024/25 to £1512 per day in 2025/26 which represents an increase of 182 per cent.
According to the report the SEND and Home to School Transport budget for the third quarter of 2025/26 was £13.771million however the actual spend was £15.638million which represents a variance of £1.867million.
A Transformation Programme aimed at identifying areas where savings can be made in the service and in 2024/25 the savings target was £1.25million with the savings forecast was £1.96million and for the third quarter 2025/26 the savings target £1million with a savings forecast of £2.40million.
The savings breakdown for the third quarter of 2025/26 represents: £1,336,409 from high-cost route reviews; £545,274 personal travel budgets; £9995 from Shuttle ID; £500,000 from west area tenders; and £15,096 from spare seats.
However, the west area tenders has the potential to increase following final calculations at end of the fourth quarter.
The report states: “The recent re-tender exercise during 2025/26 in the west area demonstrated further efficiencies, with tender costs significantly lower than expected in comparison with the national trend.
“This represents the value of the work the team has undertaken in improved market management with operators and sustained challenge to costs. Team currently forecasting additional savings for 2026/27 as at June 2026, with further opportunities to explore in the coming months for September.”