Post 16 Transport Policy Statement 2024-2025

Changes to existing policy are in red text.

First page

Introduction

This transport policy statement is for:

· students aged 16 to 19 in further education

· continuing students aged 19 and over

· young adult learners aged 19 and over in further education with an EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan)

Academic Year 2024 -2025

Under 19 years of age

According to National Guidance on Post 16 transport and travel support to education and training there is no legal requirement for council’s to provide free or subsidised travel support to young people of sixth form age. But councils do have a duty to prepare and publish an annual transport policy statement which explains what transport and travel arrangements there are locally for pupils of sixth form age to get to further education.

‘Sixth form age’ refers to those young people who are over 16 years of age but under 19 or continuing learners who started their programme of learning before their 19th birthday (years 12,13,14).

Over 19 years of age with an Education Health and Care Plan

The council also has a duty to encourage, enable and assist young people with the most severe disabilities with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP), with no other means of transportation, to participate in education and training, up to the age of 25.

The adult duty applies only to young people who are attending a course which they started after their 19th birthday. If the council provide transport for adult learners under this duty, it must be free.

This policy statement you are reading uses the term ‘Post 16’ to include both learners of sixth form age and those with learning difficulties / disabilities from 19 up to the age of 25.

Education or training refers to:

- learning or training at a school

- a further education institution

- a council maintained or assisted institution providing higher or further education

- an establishment funded directly by the Education Skills Funding Agency

- learning providers delivering accredited programmes of learning which lead to positive outcomes and are funded by the council, for example, colleges, charities and private learning providers.

Second page

Aims and objectives

This policy statement seeks to ensure that students from Brighton & Hove are able to continue in further education and are able to access information to help them to do so. This includes knowing what transport options are available and where to get help for support with transport costs.

The council aims to have a clear policy that families understand, to enable learners to make informed choices about where to study post 16, and to signpost them to other available support as appropriate.

Third page

Active travel

Active Travel is the term used to describe walking, cycling, wheeling or using existing public transport to get around the city in a way that is healthy for people and better for the environment. Students who are able to do so, are encouraged to travel to school or college using Active Travel options wherever possible.

There’s more information and links to a variety of active travel options here - How we support active and sustainable travel in the city (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Fourth page

Public transport discounts available to young people and students

Learners aged over 16 may access the following concessionary (discounted) fares, discounts, subsidies, passes or travel cards made available by transport providers.

Bus travel

The following schemes are offered by all bus operators in the city:

· up to four children and young people aged 19 or under, can travel for free when accompanied by a fare paying adult or an adult concessionary pass holder. This offer applies at all times, including peak times, excluding night-time routes and journeys.

· all bus operators have introduced a 50p single journey tickets for unaccompanied children or young people under 19. This offer applies to off peak travel times only, excluding night-time routes and journeys.

· special deals are also available to young people who are doing an apprenticeship

To get these lower fares, bus operators accept various forms of ID.

· Photo ID on buses

On services run by Brighton & Hove Buses, the BusID allows you to load tickets straight onto the card by an online account, use it to accompany a child mobile-ticket on the app, or to pay a reduced cash fare from the driver direct. BusID can also be used as an ID on any other bus operators, except Stagecoach.

Discounted travel is also available to Brighton & Hove Carers Card holders. To apply you must:

support a child or adult who could not manage without this help
not receive payment for supporting this person
support someone who lives in Brighton & Hove

You can find more information here - Apply for a carers' card (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Read more information about bus discounts for young people and bus discounts for students.

Disabled Persons bus pass

The Disabled Person’s Bus Pass offers free travel on buses at any time of day. Students of any age with a physical or learning difficulty may be eligible.

There is no restriction for Brighton & Hove residents using the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass providing the journey starts or finishes in Brighton & Hove.

More information and the application form are available by visiting the link - How to apply for a disabled person's bus pass (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

Rail travel

Rail travel Discounts for 16- and 17-year-olds

There are several travel discount options available to 16- and 17-year-olds.

16-17 Saver

16- and 17-year-olds with the 16-17 Saver will be eligible for 50% off standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and Season tickets. The 16-17 Saver is available to buy for £30 on the 16-17 Saver website.

The 16-17 Saver is valid for one year or up until the holder’s 18th birthday, whichever comes first. However, season tickets bought with a 16-17 Saver discount before it expires, can be used for up to 4 months after the expiry date.

Unizone student tickets

If you’re studying in or around Brighton or Worthing, the Unizone ticket gives you unlimited travel at a discount. Read more about Southern Rail's Unizone student tickets.

Young person's railcard

Young people aged 16 to 25 can purchase a young person’s railcard that entitles them to one third off travel throughout Britain after 10am on weekdays and off peak.

Students may also find the Traveline website helpful for planning any public transport journeys to and from school and college. National Rail Enquiries gives details for journey planning for those travelling only by train.

Fifth page

Travel support from schools and colleges

Most further education colleges within Brighton & Hove have their own travel schemes and parents and students are strongly advised to contact their preferred college to find out more.

Sixth page

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund

Schools and colleges have funds allocated to them to assist the most disadvantaged learners to access their courses.

The 16 to 19 Bursary Fund provides financial support to help young people overcome specific barriers to participation so that they can remain in education.

There are two types of bursaries:

1. A vulnerable bursary of up to £1,200 for young people defined in specific groups e.g., those in care, care leavers, those in receipt of Income Support, or Universal Credit in place of Income Support; those in receipt of Employment and Support Allowance and Disability of Personal Independence Payments in their own right (see above link for more information about eligibility).

The eligibility criteria are within the link above.

2. Discretionary bursaries which schools and colleges award to meet individual needs, for example, to help with the cost of transport, meals, books and equipment.

Schools and colleges are responsible for managing both types of bursary. Speak to your school or college about making an application.

Apprentices and those who are currently, or in danger of becoming Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) are also able to get bursary support.

Adult learners over 19 can also apply to get a discretionary bursary if the learner is over 19 and either:

· continuing on a course started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a ’19+ continuer’)

· have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

All students should first discuss with their school or college student support service whether they may be eligible with transport costs from this fund.

If you are a student on a low income and you have applied, but been refused any bursary funding, you can appeal to the council and ask to be considered for ‘exceptional circumstances financial support.’ You are unlikely to be successful in your appeal unless you can demonstrate that you are on a low income and that your bursary request has been refused.

Seventh page

Hardship Fund

University settings have funds allocated to them to assist the most disadvantaged learners to access their courses. These funds are called Hardship Funds and can be issued in addition to Bursary Funds.

Generally, student hardship funds are offered to students from low-income backgrounds, or those facing other types of adversity, like bereavement, illness or disabilities.

Parents carers / adult learners should make enquiries to their university’s Student Services or Learning Support for information about how to access the Hardship Fund.

Eighth page

Young parents (Care to Learn)

If you are a young parent under 20 years old, Care to Learn can help pay for your childcare and related travel costs, up to £160 per child per week, while you are learning.

Care to Learn can help with the cost of:

· childcare, including deposit and registration fees

· a childcare 'taster' session (up to 5 days)

· keeping your childcare place over the summer holidays

· taking your child to the childcare provider

Care to Learn is only available for courses in England that have some public funding. This includes courses that take place in:

· schools

· school sixth forms

· sixth form colleges

· other colleges and learning providers, including Foundation Learning

· your community at Children's Centres

Young parents are also entitled to apply for an Under-19 Bus Only Ticket or for those aged 19 and over can apply for the 19 to 25 card.

Ninth page

Travel support from the council

Council support for young people without special educational needs or disabilities

Choosing where to study at Post 16 is an individual choice, but we advise that consideration is given to the home to college journey when making a decision. Please remember that the council is only able to provide the assistance that is set out in this Policy and we are unable to influence existing public transport bus/train services to fit with individual timetables.

Council support for learners with special educational needs or a disability

The Council recognises that some disabled students may not be able to travel to college/further education independently and may need assistance. In the first instance, we will explore whether immediate or extended family members are able to support you with the journey.

Tenth page

Eligibility for Travel Assistance – students of sixth form age

Journey length, rurality and the nature of the route are factors for families to consider and these issues do not, in themselves, give an entitlement to transport assistance.

All students should discuss with their setting’s student support service whether they may be eligible with transport costs from the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund before applying for travel support from the council.

Basic criteria

We welcome applications for travel assistance to young people who meet the following basic criteria, and can demonstrate that they;

• live in Brighton & Hove;

• where they have SEND, usually they will have a current Education, Health and Care Plan (“EHCP”);

• will be attending the equivalent of a full-time educational course* which allows for appropriate progression;

• have a placement which is the nearest suitable college to their home address, unless agreed otherwise by the council, for example a setting named in the student’s EHCP;

• are unable to travel to the placement independently;

*a full-time educational course is a course that runs for more than 15 hours a week.

Assessment criteria

The Eligibility Panel will use the following assessment criteria to consider the application:

1. the age, capabilities, vulnerabilities and needs of the student (using information provided by the student, family, education & health professionals and documents where appropriate);

2. the nature of the journey in terms of accessibility, safety, active travel and public transport options, complexity and how long it might reasonably take (statutory guidance sets a 75-minute guidance for young people from secondary school upwards); whether the journey could reasonably be made on foot or public transport if the student were accompanied;

3. whether a Travel Companion/Buddy could enable the student to travel semi-independently and as ‘actively and sustainably’ as possible (but without additional duress);

4. whether immediate family or family network members are consistently available to support the student with their journey and if they have a suitable vehicle available;

5. the student's needs relating to travel for example, whether the student has complex needs, and/or requires a second person on transport; if independent travel is a realistic goal, and whether this has been actively encouraged by the family;

6. the financial circumstances of the family and potential impact of a declined application;

7. other relevant factors, for example, the health of the parent/carer and the potential impact on them to provide transport or accompany the student.

Eleventh page

Evidence to Support an Application for Travel Assistance from the Council for sixth form aged pupils

In applying for travel assistance, you are giving the council permission to consult with colleagues in SEND and to use current documents e.g. the EHCP to help the Panel understand the individual needs and circumstances of the young person.

We may also, within reason, ask parent carers for written evidence to support any reasons given for not being available to assist the young person with their transport needs. This might be (but is not limited to) a letter from an employer or a medical professional, for example.

Twelfth page

Parental contribution towards travel assistance - sixth form aged pupils

Where travel assistance is agreed for a student of sixth form age (16-19 years old), a contribution towards the cost of travel is usually required. The contribution is reviewed annually.

Students from families with a low income will not be required to make a financial contribution – see (link to) Low-income criteria.

The contribution is set at the same level as a Student City Saver which is the typical cost for a student traveling to their education in the city.

In the academic year 2024-25 this is £ADDED TO ALIGN WITH STUDENT CITYSAVER PRICE per year. This is the equivalent of a student citySAVER ticket.

The contribution payment will increase in line with Brighton & Hove Bus Company prices.

Further free transport provided by taxi or minibus would only be considered in exceptional circumstances. For example, where young people require extensive and complex care, and must travel in a vehicle with specialist professional support and/or large/essential medical equipment.

There is no parental financial contribution towards travel assistance for post 19 adult learners with ECHPs applying for a course or different course after their 19th birthday.

Thirteenth page

Low income - sixth form aged pupils

For sixth form age students, without ECHPs, with low income applying for travel assistance they or their families must be receiving one of the following benefits or tax credits:

· Free school meals

· Income Support

· Income Based Job Seekers Allowance

· Income related Employment and Support Allowance

· Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

· Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

· Universal Credit (provided you have an annual net earned income of no more than £7,400, as assessed by earnings from up to three of your most recent assessment periods)

· eligible students will be reimbursed by calculating the cheapest available fare for the journey and paying those expected costs which exceed the first £10.80 per week. As a Saver ticket bought with a Bus ID Card allows travel across the city for less than £10.80 per week, this means that, in normal circumstances, help is not offered to students attending colleges within Brighton & Hove

N.B. The definition of a family on a low income may be changed following the government's review of the benefit system or future guidance.

Determining whether you are receiving maximum Working Tax Credit

When tax credits are first awarded, or following a change in household circumstances, HM Revenue and Customs issue a ‘tax credits award notice’ detailing the breakdown and amount of the award.

Part two of the award notice gives details of ‘How we work out your tax credits’ including details of the full WTC elements. This is the maximum amount a customer can receive in WTC in any year.

It then lists ‘any reduction due to your income’ and shows the net amount payable. It is therefore readily apparent from the award notice whether a person is receiving maximum WTC or a reduced sum due to income. Where there is a reduction due to your income in this section then you would not qualify for travel assistance.

The figure for any reduction due to your income must be £0.00 to be in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.

If you present a review notification (TC603R), this should show a maximum income of £6,420 to evidence you are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit.

The Council’s Welfare Rights Team can help with questions and problems on a range of social security benefit and tax credit issues. If you need advice on your right to claim benefits you can:

phone 01273 291 116 on Monday Tuesday Wednesday, 10am to 1pm
email welfarerights@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Fourteenth page

Payment methods - sixth form aged pupils

An invoice will be sent, and payment will usually be made either annually or termly, but can be made differently, e.g in monthly instalments, if preferred. Payment will usually be made via Direct Debit except where another payment method has been agreed.

Transport will not usually be arranged until the first payment is made. Transport may be ceased if payments are not made on schedule - if this occurs the council will always first contact the parent/carer to try and avoid this action.

If you qualify under low-income criteria and your circumstances change part way through the year you must let us know.

Fifteenth page

Refunds - sixth form aged pupils

If a student has paid the Post-16 contribution and no longer requires transport assistance then a refund would be offered if the amount contributed is over and above the cost spent on the transport to date. Any remaining contribution would be refunded. Refunds are not usually given where a student does not use transport during the summer term.

Reimbursements for travel costs incurred before application cannot be made.

Please contact Post16Transport@brighton-hove.gov.uk in the first instance.

Sixteenth page

Eligibility for Travel Assistance – adult learners (19+ on a new course/programme)

Transport arrangements for adult learners is set out in 509F and 508G of Education Act 1996 (legislation.gov.uk).

If a young person applies for a course or different course after their 19th birthday the criteria set out for the 16-19 students applies (link back)

Assessment criteria

The Panel will use the following assessment criteria to consider the application:

1. the age, capabilities, vulnerabilities and needs of the student (using information provided by the student, family, education & health professionals and documents where appropriate)

2. the nature of the journey in terms of accessibility, safety, active travel and public transport options, complexity and how long it might reasonably take (the guidance sets a 75 minute guidance for young people from secondary school upwards); whether the journey on foot or public transport could be reasonably made if the student is accompanied

3. whether a Travel Companion/Buddy could enable the student to travel semi-independently and as ‘actively and sustainably’ as possible (but without additional duress)

4. whether immediate family or family network members are consistently available to support the student with their journey and if they have a suitable vehicle available

5. The student's needs relating to travel for example, whether the student has complex needs, and/or requires a second person on transport; if independent travel is a realistic goal, and whether this has been actively encouraged by the family.

6. What funding is available for transport from the learning provider (there is an expectation the learner has actively applied); what other funds the learner can access, whether the adult learner is receiving PIP with the mobility component as a means securing independent travel (The ‘mobility component’ is for the extra help you need getting around. This can include moving, planning a journey or following a route.)

7. advice from the college, for example, whether independent travel training is taking part as part of the programme;

8. what arrangements have been considered or tried and why they are not suitable;

9. other circumstances relevant to each case.

Seventeenth page

Evidence to Support an Application for Travel Assistance from the Council for adult learners

The following evidence may be required in addition to an application for travel assistance:

1. recent evidence from a relevant health and/or educational professional regarding the SEND of the adult learner and how this impacts on the need for travel assistance, their ability to walk or travel on public transport, accompanied or otherwise;

2. a copy of the adult learner’s care and support plan (if applicable);

3. where the parent/carer is stated as being the primary carer/advocate for the adult learner, further evidence may be required regarding the support with transport (if any) they are able to provide and when. In the case of adult learners, if the council agrees transport is necessary it will be provided free of charge.

Eighteenth page

Type of help given

Young people assessed as needing some help with their transport will be risk-assessed for their immediate needs and the most cost-effective suitable mode of travel support will be arranged.

For students who can access public transport, a journey time of up to 75 minutes each way is considered reasonable according to national guidance for best practice.

Where a young person with SEND is assessed as eligible for some help with their transport, the type of travel assistance provided will be the most cost-effective available to the council at the time, appropriate to the student’s needs.

This may be one of the following:

· A Personal Travel Budget (PTB) ( option of a Personal Travel Budget (PTB)

· A travel pass. E.g bus or train travel cards

· A mileage payment, currently at 52p per mile, four journeys a day

· A place on a contracted vehicle

Please note that taxis will usually only be provided to sixth form and adult learners if necessity is proven, e.g. for students with severe disabilities and/or health needs which require travel with specialist staff (e.g a nurse or support staff) or with medical equipment.

Following successful application and individual assessment, we will write to you and set out which option(s) we are able to offer and what you should do if you wish to take up the travel assistance that has been allocated.

Nineteenth page

Vehicle Passenger Assistants (VPAs)

The role of a VPA will be to provide general supervision and ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

VPAs are not normally supplied on transport provided for Post 16 students except in cases where they are, in the council’s view, necessary to meet a student’s individual needs or the combined needs of a group of students.

VPAs will only be provided to meet more complex individual needs, such as medical or health requirements, where there is supporting evidence confirming that such support is necessary to ensure a student’s safe journey to and from their learning/training establishment. We will use Pupil Travel Information Forms as well as other supporting information to ensure we have a full understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities and where the council assesses one is required, a VPA will be provided.

Twentieth page

Service limitations – when transport isn’t provided

The council does not provide travel assistance to work experience placements, medical appointments or other off-site visits. Responsibility for this remains with the parents or carers, or school or college as appropriate.

Transport assistance is only ever provided to one address. If there is a 50/50 split of residence under a court order, the household receiving any child benefit, or student’s own benefit, would be considered the main address.

Students doing apprenticeships should apply to their employer or learning provider to have reasonable travel expenses met.

Students wishing to undertake a new course at the same or similar level to a level of qualification already achieved may not necessarily be successful in their application for travel support.

The council do not normally offer assistance to students taking part-time courses. However, students who feel they may have an exceptional case may put this in writing and return an application form for special consideration.

Assistance is not given for attendance at private schools or colleges, unless named in the EHCP.

Transport will not generally make adjustments for individual timetables, preferences or before/after college activities, unless there is an evidenced need that supports an individual specific adjustment or transport in the middle of the day.  You are encouraged to discuss any concerns or questions about the college timetable and transport arrangements, with your college. 

Any transport arrangements required by students outside of the sixth form provision should be discussed with the provider.

Students looked after by the local authority must use same eligibility criteria as other children and students. However, arrangements should be made and funded by the carer, as funding for this is provided in the allowances paid by the council’s fostering teams (agencies and in house) to carers.

If a student chooses to change career direction or course this may affect their eligibility for travel assistance.

Page 21

Review of eligibility

Travel assistance is agreed on an annual basis.

In every case, travel assistance will be reviewed following a house move, change in placement or course, or a change in the student’s needs (condition, medication or equipment) or any other change in circumstances which may be relevant.

Following an incident on school or college transport, it may be necessary to stop provision until a further risk assessment has been carried out to make sure that the student can be transported safely. If this occurs, parents or carers will be responsible for transport and costs until the situation has been resolved.

Eligibility for transport support is determined by the Home to School Transport Eligibility Panel. Learn how Home to School Transport process applications.

Travel assistance will not be withdrawn during an academic year, except where a programme of independent travel training has been completed successfully or a student’s circumstances have changed significantly.

Page 22

Applying for transport support

Once a place at college/education provision has been secured, please apply for travel assistance.

We have set a deadline of 31 May so that we can get the transport ready for a September start. Unfortunately, we are not always able to guarantee that travel assistance will be in place for the start of the academic year if applications are received after this date.

If you are transferring into a college during the academic year you can also apply, and we aim to assess and provide a decision on mid-year applications within 7 working days during term time, and 14 working days outside of term time, and to have arrangements in place within 5 working days of the decision.

To apply use our online form - Apply for help with home to school transport

If you need help to understand this Policy or further support to apply for travel assistance, please do contact us. The transport team can be contacted by:

· telephone on 01273 293 501

· or send an email to: Post16Transport@brighton-hove.gov.uk

You may also wish to talk to Amaze SENDIASS: For families with disabled children and young people in Sussex - Amaze (amazesussex.org.uk)

· Telephone 01273 772289

· Email: sendiass@amazesussex.org.uk

Their advice line is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5pm. You can leave a message at any time, and someone will get back to you.

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Right of review or appeal

If you have been refused assistance with travel you can ask us to review the decision. Any request for review should be made in writing or by email to the Post 16 Transport Team within 20 working days of the council’s decision.

Within 20 working days of receipt of the applicant’s request a senior officer within the council will review the decision under a Stage 1 Appeal.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of the review, you have 20 working days in which to appeal further to an independent panel of officers, under a Stage 2 Appeal. The panel will be made up of three officers of the council who had no involvement in the Stage 1 decision to decline help with transport.

The appeal panel will review the appeal within 40 days of receipt of the request. The panel does have the power to reach a different decision in individual cases.

You also have the right to make a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO) if you consider that there was a failure to comply with the procedural rules or if you consider there to have been any other irregularities in the way the appeal has been handled.

The internal review/appeal process must be completed before making a referral to the LGO.

Learn more about our appeals process.

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Complaints

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the transport service, you should talk to the Home to School Transport team on 01273 293 501 or send an email to: Post16Transport@brighton-hove.gov.uk

You can read more about how to make a complaint here - How to make a complaint (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

If a complaint about a transport provider is upheld, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken by the transport provider or in extreme cases the contract with a transport company may be terminated.

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Consultation

Each year we will consult with young people of sixth form age and their parents as well as other stakeholders on the Post 16 Transport Policy statement before it is finalised.

Please note that the policy could be changed in the future and the current support available does not amount to a legitimate expectation that it will continue to be offered.