Post 16 transport

Before you complete an application form, it is strongly recommended that you read our Post 16 Home Transport Policy.

Local authorities do not have a statutory duty to provide travel for all students aged 16 or older. They do have to consider whether travel support is essential for students to continue their education. Learners older than 16 are not automatically entitled to home to college transport.

Councils must publish a transport policy for post-16 transport. The policy sets out:

• their transport arrangements and

• the financial help available for learners of sixth form age (16 to 18 or older if they started the course before their 19th birthday).

Councils have discretion to set arrangements but must consider various factors including:

• the needs of those who could not access education if no arrangements were made

• the need for young people to have reasonable opportunities to choose between courses

• the distance and journey time of the place of study

• it is for officers to decide whether a course of study represents a new course

• in some study programmes, a student achieves a qualification, certificate or training outcome each year. However, they do not lead to a final overall qualification at the end of the programme. For example, a ‘skills for living’ course does not lead to a final qualification. Instead, the student received individual certificates or training outcomes. Each time a student undertakes a new qualification, certificate or training outcome, this will be considered a new course. This is also the case if the student has not changed their programme of study.

This policy document sets out what support and schemes are available to students. This includes discounts and financial assistance to help plan journeys to school or college. In exceptional circumstances, the council may make arrangements. This is usually for students with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND.)

Local Authorities do not have to provide free (or subsidised) post-16 travel support. They have a duty to prepare and publish an annual transport policy statement. The policy describes how Torbay Council supports learners aged 16 or older to attend school or training.

This is written according to section 509 of the Education Act 1996.

This policy statement also includes relevant young adult learners (19+) with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Young people who continue their education after age 16 do not automatically get travel support.

Applications

You can apply for transport assistance for your child by completing an application form. You will be required to apply each year for transport assistance.

Before submitting your application for assistance please ensure that you have read our Post 16 Home Transport Policy