Children, Young People
and Families
Post 16
Travel
&
Transport
Policy
2014-15
For Students Attending School, College or
other Places of Learning or Training
Contents
POLICY
1.0
Policy Statement
2.0
Travel for Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
GUIDANCE ON TRAVEL OPTIONS
3.0
Travel on Buses and Trams
4.0
Other ways of getting around Sheffield
5.0
Learning taking place outside of South Yorkshire
6.0
Travelling Safely in Sheffield
7.0
Feedback and Complaints
Sheffield Post 16 Travel & Transport
1.0 Policy Statement 2014-15
1.1 What is the Policy about?

Sheffield City Council’s vision is for as many young people as possible to be
travelling independently to school, college or their place of training and using
sustainable forms of transport to do so. This will help them achieve their full
potential in life. This policy supports that aspiration.

The document is divided first into a statement of policy and then guidance on
the most appropriate travel arrangements.

The policy is intended to inform young people in years 11, 12 and 13 and their
parents or carers about what transport arrangements and support are
available in Sheffield for the forthcoming academic year. It is also for Young
People with Learning Difficulties/Disabilities and considers their travel needs
to school, college or place of training up to the age of 25.

The policy applies to anyone living in Sheffield. Learners not resident in
Sheffield or in Sheffield Local Authority care should refer to the transport
policy statement issued by their Local Authority.

The policy covers the period 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015

The purpose of the policy is to signpost learners to the best travel option to get
to the learning of their choice
1.2 What the Council Must Do
The Council has certain duties it has to fulfil in terms of transport and travel for
Post 16 students.

The Education Act (Section 509AA -1996) requires Local Authorities to
prepare and publish on May 31st each year an annual Transport Policy
Statement for Young People aged up to 18 and up to the age of 25 with a
Learning Difficulties Assessment (or Education, Health and Care Plan).

The duty applies to all local authorities in England in respect of arrangements
for young people over compulsory school age aged 16-18 and those
continuing learners who started their programme of learning before their 19th
birthday.

The statement should specify the arrangements for the provision of transport
or otherwise that the authority considers it necessary to make to facilitate the
attendance of all persons of sixth form age receiving education or training.

This is to ensure that
 Learners of sixth form age are able to access the education and training of
their choice.
 If support for access is required, this will be assessed and provided where
necessary.

Sheffield City Council is also responsible for ensuring that a link is made to the
website which is the main source of government web based information for the
general public. This can be found at Subsidised college transport for 16 to 19
year olds - GOV.UK

Government guidance on Post 16 Transport is available at Post 16 Transport
Guidance 2014/15

Under the Raising the Participation Age agenda, from September 2014
students will be required to continue in education or training until their 18 th
birthday. This could involve mixing full time work with study; following an
apprenticeship; continuing full time in school or college or combining part time
training with volunteering. However, there is no change to compulsory school
age and no extension to the entitlement to free transport beyond year 11.
Therefore local authorities still have discretion to make arrangements for post
16 students on a local basis and recommend the various concessionary travel
schemes available at 3.0 below.
1.3 What the Policy Says About:
Learners who are 16 – 18

Learners who are Sheffield residents aged 16-18 years (at the start of each
academic year) may be entitled to a bus pass. Details about this are available
in the section 1.5 Support for Learners on Low Incomes and 3.3 Travel
Advice for Learners on How to Get your Pass
Apprentices

Young People taking up an apprenticeship are employed from day one and
will be paid a wage by their employer. In the rare event of an Apprentice not
being employed from day one they may be entitled to bus fares at a
concessionary rate. To ensure that you get the best reduced price that suits
your needs, please refer to our mainstream ticketing offers for 16-18 year olds
at 3.0 below.
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities (LDD)

See 2.0 Travel for Learners with LDD for details of this support
1.4 Who has contributed to this Policy?
The policy is developed on the basis of wide consultation and this will continue in
future.

The Sheffield Post 16 Transport Partnership has developed the policy.
Partners include Colleges of Further Education, South Yorkshire Passenger
Transport Executive (SYPTE) and officers from Sheffield City Council
specialising in Lifelong Learning, Special Educational Needs/Disabilities,
Transport and Adult Social Care.

The Progress and Achieve Group and the Learning for Life Board who meet to
discuss issues affecting post 16 learners and trainees have advised on the
policy.

To help learners travel across South Yorkshire, the sub regional Education
Transport Officers Group co-operate to share best practice.

The Council’s Transport and Assessment and Training services consult with
the Parents Assembly, the Parent Carer Forum, Schools and Colleges on how
best to support safe and healthy travel and develop socially inclusive travel
options that support learner choice.

Sheffield Youth Parliament has contributed to this policy and to the regional
strategic report “Attracting Young People to the Bus”.
1.5 Discretionary Support for Learners on Low Incomes
Sheffield City Council’s Customer First Service provides zero fare bus passes and
assisted travel support for learners from families of low income 16-18 subject to
qualifying criteria, contact 0114 2734567. There is no statutory duty to do this and
current policy will be subject to review and possible change in the future.
Zero Fare Pass
A Zero-Fare Pass will be issued to learners if the following criteria are met:




You are a Sheffield resident aged 16-18 years (at the start of the
academic year).
You are studying at sixth form or college from September 2013.
You live 3 or more miles from your place of study (all applications are
measured using Google Maps).
You or your parents receive only Income Support; Income based Job
Seekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance or Pension Credit
(or NASS assistance if you are an Asylum seeker) This evidence will
need to show your current address, dated within the last 3
months, and that it is still a current claim.
If you do not meet the above criteria you may qualify for a 16-18 Student
pass (see 3.1 below). The pass is free but you will pay a concessionary fare
each journey (currently 70p). To obtain this pass contact your school/
college, pick up a leaflet from a Travel Information Centre or telephone
01709 515151
1.6 Discretionary Support for Eligible Learners
16-19 Bursary Fund

Learning providers for students aged 16-19 and funded by the Education
Funding Agency have discretion over how the 16-19 Bursary Fund is used
to support learners, although there are some 'vulnerable groups' who
receive funding. They are (a) young people who are looked after; (b) care
leavers; (c) those in receipt of income support; and (d) disabled young
people in receipt of both Employment Support Allowance and Disability
Living Allowance.
Further advice about bursaries obtainable via schools can be obtained
from the Council’s Post 16 support service on 0114 2735479 or for
colleges by contacting the learning provider you are planning to attend.
2.0 Travel for Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or
Disabilities (LDD)
2.1 Discretionary Travel Assistance Arrangements

Students with statements of SEN staying on at school beyond year 11 will
have their statement continue and if they formerly qualified for transport on
the basis of their needs then generally speaking they would continue to
receive support. However, entitlement will be subject to review and
reassessment of needs. Statements of SEN will ultimately give way to
Education Health and Care Plans.

Students with statement of SEN leaving year 11 and going from school to
college will undergo a Section 139A assessment. The Section 139A
assessments will ultimately give way to Education Health and Care Plans.
If students still need transport on account of their SEN or disability they will
have to fill in a transport application form available at the college. This
enables a reassessment of needs and will determine whether they receive
travel support to college. Transport cannot be guaranteed at this stage.
Students who have trained to travel independently to school will be
expected to travel independently to college and will receive further support
if necessary to ensure this happens.

Supported travel to school or college for learners with LDD aged 16-18 is
provided on a discretionary basis and the current policy will be subject to
review and possible change in the future.

For travel to college information contact Post 16 Support on 0114 2735479
or 0114 2053542 for travel to school.

If you are 19-25 and have a Learning Difficulties Assessment (Section
139A assessment), arrangements will be made for the college or education
provider to support your travel assistance where appropriate. If you require
clarification please contact the education provider you are planning to
attend.

Students with LDD will be supported in taking reasonable steps towards
greater travel independence. This is something the Council and learning
providers will be aiming to work together more closely to promote and
support (see 2.2 below).

The Post 16 Travel and Transport Policy will develop in line with the roll out
of Education, Health and Care plans from September 2014 and transport
provision will figure in the ‘Local Offer’.
Cross Boundary Travel

Where travel outside Sheffield is required and transport assistance is an
entitlement on the basis of special educational needs or disabilities,
Sheffield City Council will consider what is available and make the
appropriate provision.
2.2 Independent Travel Training and Travel Solutions
‘Learn as you Go’

‘Learn as you Go’ comprises a package of travel options promoting
independent travel for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities
which supports their progression into adulthood. These options are
tailored to the needs of the young person to assist with the development of
their travel skills. This will allow them to access public transport to get to
and from their learning establishment, work placements and enjoy social
opportunities independently.

To access Independent Travel Training (‘Indetravel’) a referral can be
made by anyone who works closely with an individual, such as college,
tutor and parent/carer. This referral will then be evaluated by the
Assessment & Training Team, before being put into practice. The
Assessment & Training Officer will offer a programme of step by step
instructions and guidance on how to travel safely and confidently which is
appropriate to each young person’s abilities, at a pace suitable to their
needs.

For further information about ‘Learn as you Go’ please email
Indetravel@sheffield.gov.uk or ring 0114 2053542 or visit the Council’s
Website.
Travel Support for Learning Disabled Young People in Transition

Adult Social Care can take referrals for young people about to enter / or
already part of Adult Services. A referral could be as part of a support plan
(called ‘Self Directed Support’) or it could be separate from this. The Travel
Support Workers will look at all of a person's travel options and help them
try them out and make decisions. There are priority criteria applied to
referrals. We work with individuals alongside parents and carers if that is
appropriate. For more information about the Travel Support Workers call
0114 3050671 or visit Travel Support. There is also a Travel Guide for
disabled adults and older people on this page.
2.3 The ENCTS Disability Pass

Up until 1st April 2014 the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme
disability pass enabled free travel to school or college. From 1st April its
use was restricted to after 9.30 a.m. only. However, this policy decision
was subsequently reversed and form 8th June 2014 and until further notice
the pass will once again enable free travel to school or college for those
whose disability makes them eligible for it. To obtain a pass on the basis of
disability please contact Customer First on 273 4567.
2.4 Parental Reimbursement

If you are entitled to travel assistance rather than the Local Authority
providing transport to and from your place of learning every day it is
possible for parents or carers of young people with LDD up to sixth form
age and attending school or college to provide the transport themselves by
using their own car and receiving payment for the journey. For further
information about this please email cypdbusinesssupport@sheffield.gov.uk
or ring 0114 2053542 or contact the college or provider you are planning to
attend.
3.0 Guidance – Travel on Buses, and Trams & Trains
3.1 16 – 18 Student Pass

The 16-18 Student Pass is available to anyone between the ages of 16
and 18 who lives in South Yorkshire and is following a Study Programme,
including a Traineeship, funded by the Department for Education /
Education Funding Agency with a provider who has supplied SYP TE with
a list of approved signatories. The academic year starts on 1 September.
If you are already 16 and under 18 on this date then you qualify for this
pass

From 1 April 2013, the 16-18 pass allows travel on buses and trams
throughout South Yorkshire at 70p per journey. (NB It is possible this
concessionary fare may increase in April 2015). The pass entitles the
holder to travel on Northern Rail Trains within South Yorkshire at half adult
fare. The pass is issued free of charge. However, Travel South Yorkshire
may charge for a replacement if the pass is lost. The replacement cost is
currently £7.00

To find out how to get a pass see 3.3 Travel Advice for Learners and
How to Get Your Pass
3.2 Travel Discounts

Discounts are available by obtaining a Travel South Yorkshire
TravelMaster. A TravelMaster allows unlimited travel by bus, tram or
Northern Trains train through South Yorkshire for a specified period of time
(e.g. week, 28 days or term)
TravelMaster18

At the time of writing, the TravelMaster18 currently costs £13.80 per week
or £47.25 for a 28 day ticket

To find out how to get a TravelMaster18 see 3.3 Travel Advice for
Learners and how to get your Pass
Student Term TravelMaster

The Student Term TravelMaster ticket is available to full-time learners at
The Sheffield College and Longley Park Sixth Form College at a cost of
£175.60 from Sept 2014. For details of the 2014/15 price please contact
Traveline on 01709 515151. Learners may need a voucher from their
learning provider in order to purchase this ticket. This product is only
available to learners in Longley Park College and Sheffield College

To find out how to get a Student Term TravelMaster see 3.3 Travel Advice
for Learners and How to get your Pass
TravelMaster GetAbout Day & 7 Day

This costs £2.50 for a Day & £6.50 for 7 days and is valid on any bus or
tram within South Yorkshire. It is Available to purchase on certain bus &
tram services. It is not available from SYPTE Information Centres.
 Not valid for use on any dedicated school bus service.
 Valid for Young people aged 5-16 & 16-18.
Young people aged 16-18 must be in full time education and be in possession
of a 16-18 Student pass.
GetAbout+ Day

This costs £3.60 for a day and is valid on any bus, tram or train within
South Yorkshire. It is available to purchase on bus, tram and from station
ticket offices. It is not available from SYPTE information centres. It is
 Not valid for use on any dedicated school bus service.
 Valid for Young people aged 5-16 & 16-18.
Young people aged 16-18 must be in full time education and be in
possession of a 16-18 Student pass.
Summer Saver

All 16-18 Student Passes expire at the end of each school year – 31st July.
Once students have reached the age of 16, they no longer qualify for the
70p fare during the summer break. SummerSaver allows these students to
travel on any bus train or tram in South Yorkshire throughout the summer
break. The cost is £26. It is available to students who surrender their
recently expired Mega Travel or 16-18 Student Pass. For current cost
please contact Traveline on 01709 515151 or via Travel South Yorkshire
3.3 Travel Advice for Learners and How to Get your Pass

General information about travel and how to get your pass in South
Yorkshire can be obtained by visiting any Travel South Yorkshire
Information Centre or contacting Traveline on 01709 515151 or via Travel
South Yorkshire

Specific, personalised journey planning can also be obtained from
Traveline
3.4 Sheffield City Council - Transport

The Council’s Transport service can provide a range of specialist travel
and transport solutions to suit either individual or group travel needs. We
have a range of specialist vehicles, drivers and or travel escorts.
Additionally, we provide a 24/7 service that can be accessed at evenings
and weekends. If you require more information or would like to obtain a
quote contact us on 0114 2037570 or visit Transport Services
4.0 Other Ways of Getting around Sheffield
4.1 On Two Wheels
Sheffield Cycleboost
Cycling Help and Advice Programme








The Cycling Help and Advice programme makes sessions available to
people so that they can access cycling provision to support their health
wellbeing and possibly eventually cycle independently. It includes the
following
Learn to Ride – learn to ride a bike if you’ve never ridden one or not for a
long time , bikes are provided
Cycle Confidence (Formerly Cycle for Health) - Improve your skills and
confidence in a supportive group
Road Confidence 1 – learn basic skills to reduce hazards and improve
safety
Road Confidence 2 – Learn advanced hazard reduction and commuter
skills
Skill Sessions – learn skills and hazard reduction techniques for road club
riders (Small charge applies)
Dr Bike Clinics – free safety checks, minor repairs fixed, advice on bigger
problems
Maintenance Courses – Beginners maintenance courses (4 weeks) –
covers basic maintenance to keep your bike roadworthy
For details on all the above follow www.pedalready.co.uk or phone - 0114
2412775
Free Bike loans

Sheffield Cycle Boost aims to encourage over 400 new cyclists over the
next year in the Don Valley and North East of Sheffield. Participants
receive the most suitable bike plus accessories and support for their
needs for a four week challenge, minimum age requirement of 18 years.
This has now been expanded to cover community groups in this area. For
more information follow www.sheffieldcycleboost.org
Sheffield University – ReCycleBikes

The purpose of the scheme is to support and promote sustainable travel
choice by allowing students to obtain a bicycle (and associated safety
accessories) at a discounted price through a partnership between The
University of Sheffield and the ReCycleBikes Project which is part of the
Heeley Development Trust. To obtain a bike and safety accessories
contact ReCycleBikes on 0114 2500613 or visit Recycle Bikes
Cycling Programme in Schools

The Bike It project contains a variety of practical cycling activities in and
out of the classroom, highlighting the benefits and sharing good practice.
The project gives older teenagers, their parents and school staff the skills
and confidence to ride safely and confidently. Please follow Bike it
Enhanced Wheels to Work 
This scheme currently provides motor scooter hire for those with a job or
offer of a job where public transport does not match working times. In 2012
for 3 years this is to be expanded into the hire of cycles. There is a set
eligibility criteria. It is envisaged that this will work with the Sheffield Cycle
Package (as detailed above).
4.2 Walking

To promote healthy, sustainable travel we would encourage young people
attending their learning or training to consider walking for some or all of the
route

Please see access safe walking routes in your area. There is more
information about walking to and from places of learning in Sheffield on the
Council website or please phone 0114 2735828 for more information

If you’d like to plan walking journeys please follow Walkit
5.0 Learning taking place outside of South Yorkshire

Some of the concessions, travel passes and discounts mentioned above
under Travel on Buses and Trams are specific to travel within the county
of South Yorkshire. Where learning entitlement has been agreed and is to
take place in neighbouring authorities, support with the most efficient cost
of transport will be made available. However, if parents/carers choose
provision outside Sheffield when the same provision can be accessed
within Sheffield then travel assistance will not be provided.
6.0 Travelling Safely in Sheffield

To support learners of all ages and to ensure they are able to travel safely
there is Guidance on Promoting Positive Behaviour on Buses and Trams.
Sheffield City Council is working closely with schools and partners in the
South Yorkshire Passenger Executive (SYPTE) and South Yorkshire
Police to deal proactively with any incidents that may occur on public
transport during the learning day. You can access the guidance here
Positive Behaviour Guidance

It is important that young people understand that their education learning
provider may be required to share their details with appropriate partners if
an investigation occurs as a result of a travel incident that they have
caused. Partners include the Police and SYPTE.

This policy is developed in partnership with the Council’s Road Safety
Team who can advise on safety issues associated with the journey to
school or college and the development of safe motoring in the City. For
more information please follow Road Safety
7.0 Feedback and Complaints
Your complaints, compliments and suggestions are important to us. They help us
improve our services - so please tell us what you think.
Online complaints form - Please tell us online.
Email us - Contact us at complaint@sheffield.gov.uk.
Telephone us - You can contact us about your complaints, compliments or
feedback between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
Call 0114 2734567, select option 6, then option 2.
Visit us - You can visit us at our City Centre First Point or one of our local
First Points where you can speak to a member of staff.
Our address - Sheffield City Council, Town Hall, Pinstone Street
Sheffield, S1 2HH