Post 16 Transport
Policy
For Academic Year
2014/15
Rochdale MBC
Post 16 Transport Policy 2014/15
1.
Introduction
1.1
The information in this statement sets out the Rochdale Local Authority’s policy
on post-16 transport for the academic year 2014/2015. The information in this
statement is relevant for full time learners aged 16-18 and those continuing
learners who started their programme of learning before their 19th birthday and
live within the Rochdale Local Authority area. For a small number of learners
(those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities) the provision may continue
for longer, please refer to Sections 4 and 10 of this policy for further
information.
1.2
We aim to show how transport is provided, what is provided, the amount of
financial support available and the eligibility criteria. We also give advice on
where and how to apply for any support and this may involve making
references to relevant websites.
1.3
Rochdale Local Authority’s main objective is to bring about higher participation
and retention rates for learners in schools and colleges of further education.
This policy is essentially concerned with assistance with transport costs.
The central principle is that no learner should be prevented from taking part in
further education because of the lack of support travelling to and from school or
college
1.4
2.
Wherever possible efforts are made to provide young people with the support
they need to travel independently and use the public transport that is available.
This is considered an important part of providing young people with the
independence they will need after leaving college.
Important Note
This policy will stand for the academic year 2014/15. The Post 16 Transport Policy
including travel arrangements for learners with additional needs will be reviewed by
Rochdale Council during 2014/15. Following this changes may be made to elements
of the policy, including changes in relation to charging for such provision. Any
proposed changes will be the subject of public consultation during which learners
and parents will be able to make their views known.
3.
Key Principles
This policy is based on the following key principles:
 The policy should promote and encourage the growing independence and
social inclusion of all children and young people, as appropriate to their age
and ability.
 Any transport assistance should support young people to follow an
appropriate educational course.
 Any transport assistance should be appropriate to support the young person’s
individual needs and circumstances.
 The policy should support sustainable travel options which minimise the
impact on the environment.
 Any transport assistance offered should be the most efficient and effective in
terms of both sustainability and cost.
4.
Policy Statement
4.1
This policy statement applies to all young people over the age of 16 and
beyond statutory school age including those with additional needs whether
they attend college or school.
4.2
In line with the Authority’s duty under the Education and Skills Act 2008 to
encourage, enable and assist the participation of learners with Learning
Difficulties in education and learning, this policy will apply, in some
circumstances, to learners up to the age of 25.
4.3
The local authority will provide assistance with travel to post 16 education
or training in cases where it considers it necessary to facilitate a leaner’s
participation in education.
4.4
Assistance with travel will only be available to the nearest college that
provides a suitable course.
4.5
Assistance will be discretional and subject to assessment.
4.6
When assistance is given, it will not necessarily involve the provision of
door to door transport. Other options will be offered where they make more
efficient use of the available resources. Transport will be provided in
cases of exceptional need only.
4.7
If transport is provided, it will be timed to minimise the number of journeys
undertaken. This may require learners either to arrive earlier than the start
of their timetabled day or to wait at the end of their timetabled day until
other learners have finished and are ready to depart. Where possible,
measures will be taken to minimise waiting time, so long as this does not
result in significant additional expenditure.
5.
6.
Eligibility
5.1
Young people may require assistance with travel because they have a high
level of additional needs. These may include young people:
 with severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties including
some learners with complex learning difficulties associated with
autism;
 with a severe physical disability, typically those young people
dependent on the use of a wheelchair; or,
 with a severe medical or psychological condition such that their
vulnerability would mean that independent travel is likely to put
themselves or others at serious risk.
5.2
In assessing whether a young person needs assistance with transport
between home and their education or training setting, the LA will take into
account the following factors:
 whether appropriate education/training provision is available at a
nearer location to the young person’s home;
 whether the young person has received independent travel training
prior to the application;
 the outcome of independent travel training carried out prior to the
application;
 what alternative options for transport have been considered and
could be made available; and,
 any other specific factors the LA considers relevant to the student’s
application.
Assistance available to Post 16 learners in education
6.1
If the learner is aged 16-19 and in full time further education at school or
college situated in the Greater Manchester area they may be able to get a
TfGM (Travel for Greater Manchester) Scholar’s Permit. This permit allows
them to travel to and from school/college at the standard concessionary
fare (currently half the adult fare) inside Greater Manchester on buses,
trains and the Metrolink tram.
The specified journey between the learner’s home and school or college
will be written on the permit. The permit can only be used on weekdays
before 9pm for the journey that is specified on it. The learner can use the
Scholar’s Permit to travel at other times, or between other places for
curriculum related studies, course related work experience, and for medical
appointments during school or college hours by getting a Variance Voucher
from school or college. The learner must present the voucher with their
permit when they pay the fare. If the learner does not have a Variance
Voucher, stamped by school or college, they will have to pay the full fare.
The standard concessionary fare for each single journey is currently half
the adult fare on buses. This means that if the learner catches more than
one bus to school or college they will pay half the adult fare on each bus.
On trains and the Metrolink the learner will pay approximately half the adult
fare. When the learner buys a Metrolink ticket from the ticket machine on
the station, they should press the half fare button, not the concession
button.
Remember, if the learner doesn’t have a permit with them when they travel
to school or college they will have to pay the full adult fare.
Application forms for Scholar’s Permits are available from schools, colleges
and TfGM travel shops. The permit costs £5. If it is lost, the learner will
have to pay £5 for a replacement.
6.2
If the learner makes frequent use of bus services for journeys additional to
school or college travel they should consider The System One Bus Saver
Travel Cards. Information is available at the System One website
www.systemonetravelcards.co.uk/index.php
The learner can get cheap fares on buses anywhere in Greater Manchester
if they are aged 16-21 by purchasing a System One Bus Saver Travel Card
for young people or learners which is available for either 7 or 28 days or for
a full year. A 7 day pass costs £12.70 and a 28 day pass costs £44.00. The
annual pass costs £510.00. Without such a pass the learner will pay the full
adult fare on any additional bus journey.
The learner can also use the System One Bus Saver Travel Cards up to
the age of 26 if they are attending a full time course at college or university.
In addition users must have a System One 'Student' Photocard for which a
passport size photograph is required. The learner can obtain these at
any TfGM Travelshop. Membership is free.
The learner can buy the System One Bus Saver Travel Cards from TfGM
Travelshops on bus stations and from Post Offices. They could also ask at
their college if tickets are available there.
The learner cannot use the System One Bus Saver Travel Cards to pay for
journeys on the Metrolink tram or trains.
6.3
If the learner lives in Greater Manchester and is disabled they may be able
to get free travel on buses, local trains and the Metrolink in Greater
Manchester, whatever their age.
The learner may be able to get free travel if they are:







Registered blind
Profoundly deaf and without speech
Without speech or with speech that is difficult to understand
Learning disabled
Without the use of both arms
An ex-service man or woman with serious walking difficulties as a
result of losing a leg
Refused a driving licence, as a result of severe and enduring mental
health problems
To Apply:
For an application form contact Transport for Greater Manchester on
telephone number 0161 244 1050.
More information can be found on the Transport for Greater Manchester
website: www.tfgm.com
6.4
Detailed below is a summary of what the local colleges are currently
providing.
6.4.1 Hopwood Hall College – Public transport used http://www.tfgm.com
The Rochdale bus station is approximately 5 minutes walk from the
Rochdale campus. There are frequent bus services throughout the
borough which terminate in Rochdale.
The No 17 bus service runs frequent between Rochdale and
Manchester approximately every 10 minutes and stops at the
entrance to the Middleton Campus.
A free bus service (to and from) is offered to learners travelling to
the Middleton campus from locations across Rochdale and North
Manchester. Download the Hopwood FREE bus timetable here:
http://www.hopwood.ac.uk/UserFiles/Docs/Misc/Bus%20Timetable
%202013-14%20June%202013.pdf
6.4.2 Rochdale Sixth Form College – Public transport used http://www.tfgm.com
The Rochdale bus station is approximately 5 minutes walk from the
Rochdale Sixth Form College. There are frequent bus services
throughout the borough which terminate in Rochdale.
6.4.3 Bury College – Public transport used - http://www.tfgm.com
Bury College is centrally located near the town centre within walking
distance of the Bury Metrolink and Bus Station.
A free Coach Service (to and from) is offered, download the FREE
Coach timetable here:
http://www.burycollege.ac.uk/sitefiles/files/PDFs/Routemap1314.pdf
6.4.4 Oldham College – Public transport used - http://www.tfgm.com
The College is a 5 minute walk from the central bus station.
6.5
It is important to note that this is only a small sample of what is available.
More detailed information is available from the colleges shown above, from
School Offices and from College Student Services of the individual
establishments.
6.6
Financial support provided by Rochdale Council
Staying on at school or college is an investment in a young person’s future
and they can get some financial help with their transport costs. The local
authority will provide help with travelling expenses if the learner lives more
than three miles from school or college and their parents/carers receive
one of the following benefits:
 Income support
 Job seeker’s allowance (Income Based)
 Working tax credit and their income is under £16,190.00 per year
(2014/2015)
The amount of travelling expenses incurred is refunded at the end of the
academic year only i.e. August 2015 in this case. Refunds are based on
40p per single journey even if the actual cost is more. The learner can
make an application for a refund of travelling expenses from September
2014. Please note that refunds are made by BACS at the end of the
academic year only i.e. August 2015, so it is necessary for the learner to
have a bank or building society account in order to access the funding. To
apply for this help please refer to Section 15 of this policy.
7.
Apprenticeships
Learning providers are responsible for ensuring that non-employed Programmeled Apprentices have reasonable expenses met in full where these are needed to
overcome barriers to learning. These may include the cost of travelling to or from
the place of learning or work placement. Employers and learning providers should
take account of learners’ likely transport arrangements when planning off-the-job
training, particularly outside normal working hours. The costs of expenses for
learners can be claimed by learning providers against the Additional Learner
Support allocation on the Training Provider Statement.
8.
General eligibility criteria
The provision applies to all learners living in Rochdale who are attending school
sixth forms, including the independent sector and colleges of further education
and who are unable to access their school college or training provision by using a
Scholar’s Permit. This could be due to the learners specific circumstances, the
location of the school or college or the learner is aged 19 or over.
Learners should be:
 of learner age - applicants must be above the statutory school leaving age
of 16 years and be attending school sixth forms and further education
colleges up to the age of 19 years. Where a learner has enrolled on a
course prior to his/her 19th birthday and which continues beyond their 19th
birthday, support will continue to be available until that course finishes;
 attending school or a further education provider - learners must be enrolled
on and attending a course at a school, college, an establishment funded by
the EFA or a learning provider funded by the Authority. Usually assistance
will only be provided for one provision even if the learner attends more than
one provision;
 undertaking an apprenticeship or traineeship course;
 attending full time - learners will be attending full time courses at school or
college.
 able to prove need - applicants must demonstrate that in the absence of an
award they would experience difficulties accessing or completing their
education because of financial constraints and barriers;
 living more than 3 miles from a school sixth form or college - applicants
must be attending a school or college over 3 miles away from their home
measured using the shortest walking route;
 attending their nearest school or college – applicants must be attending the
nearest school or college to their home address which offers the same or a
similar course in order to qualify for assistance. The Local Authority will
have regard to any preference the learner or parents may have based on
their religious belief (the learner or parent is responsible for justifying this);
Other factors which will be taken into account:
 if the young person will be attending a college in a Local Authority other
than Rochdale then written evidence from the local college must be
provided explaining how the young person’s needs cannot be met within
the Rochdale Local Authority;
 if the young person’s needs can be met locally and they choose another
Local Authority college based on personal preference then Home to
College Transport will not be approved. However, parents/carers can
make their own arrangements;
 if the young person is independent in travel to/from school (mainstream or
special) then the expectation is that this will continue for their time at
college;
 the option of accessing free buses to/from college must be explored before
the application is made and reasons should be given as to why this will be
unsuitable for the young person;
 if the young person will be following a basic skills course (Life Skills/Key
Skills/ Preparation for Work, etc), it is expected that the course will cover
independent travel and if Home to College Transport is approved there will
be an expectation that this is reduced over time.
Please note:
 learners on work based learning courses are not eligible for support
through this policy.
 the transport does not include transport to any work experience placement
relating to the course the young person has applied for. Any difficulties
around this area must be discussed with the course tutor.
 the transport is between the home address of the learner or a point close to
the home address of the learner and the college.
9.
Priorities
Regard will be given to those applicants who can be said to be socially excluded
through their personal circumstances and priority will be given to those people
who fall into "widening participation" categories, namely:
 learners on free school meals or whose parents are on benefits which
would qualify them to receive free school meals if they were still at school.
 learners whose parents/carers are in receipt of the maximum working tax
credit or equivalent when Universal Credits are introduced.
 learners living independently on low income;
 learners in care, or have been, in care;
 learners who are young parents - under 20 at the start of the course;
 learners who are vulnerable to becoming NEET (not in education,
employment or training) or who have already become NEET;
 learners on probation;
 learners considered to be “at risk” of being disadvantaged;
 learners who are carers.
10.
Learners with Learning Difficulties and/or Disabilities
10.1
Learners who have a learning difficulty and/or disability will be treated no
less favourably than other learners and recognition is given to the
differential costs they may incur in comparison with other learners.
10.2
Consideration will be given to providing transport assistance for Post 16
Learners with Education Health Care Plans / Learning Disability
Assessments where the distance is less than 3 miles. In such cases an
assessment of need may be necessary.
A learner will be regarded as having a learning difficulty and/or disability if
he or she:

has a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of
persons of the same age; or,

has a disability, which either prevents or hinders him or her from
making use of educational facilities of a kind generally provided by
institutions providing Post 16 education or training.
A learner will not be regarded as having a learning disability solely
because the language (or form of language) in which he or she is taught,
is different from that which has at any time been spoken in his or her
home.
10.3
10.4
Learners with disabilities or learning difficulties will receive assistance with
travelling expenses to one provision only provided they:

live within the Rochdale boundary and are full time learners
attending their nearest school or college within Rochdale;

are full time learners attending the nearest school or college
outside the Rochdale boundary where an equivalent course of
study cannot be undertaken in Rochdale;

are able to prove need - applicants must demonstrate that in the
absence of an award they would experience difficulties accessing
or completing their education because of financial constraints and
barriers;

previously had an Education Health Care Plan / Statement of SEN
that did not identify a need for transport (i.e. due to the proximity of
their home to the school) or since leaving school have
subsequently developed learning difficulties as defined above. In
such cases an assessment of need may be necessary.
Please note support is allocated each academic year and new
applications have to be made each year by all learners. The Post 16
Transport Provision is reviewed every May and applications are then
assessed against the new guidance issued by the DfE. If transport
assistance is provided for the next academic year a learner’s travel needs
will be reviewed to ensure the appropriate provision is made.
11.
10.5
Different approaches of providing transport assistance will be pursued
wherever possible in order to make best use of the limited funds available.
10.6
The local authority provides transport free of charge to school or college
for learners with disabilities and/or learning difficulties in those cases
where it is considered essential. This provision is between home and the
nearest school/college which can address the particular needs of the
young person. If a young person chooses to attend a school/college with
an equally suitable course which is further away from home, then it is
understood they will be required to make their own travel arrangements to
and from that school/college.
10.7
If transport is provided this may involve the provision of private hire
vehicles or specialist vehicles. Any application for concessionary transport
of this kind will be considered by the SEN & Children with Disabilities
Service to establish that the provision of such transport is necessary to
enable the learner to travel between home and college.
10.8
Learners in Year 11 at Redwood Secondary School or attending the Post16 provision at Redwood Secondary School may be provided with
independent travel training that will reduce the need to rely on private hire
vehicles. This training is related to home to school transport and travel to
other educational provision including post-19 placements. The training is
provided during the school day with the consent of parent(s).
10.9
If the learner has a disability and/or learning difficulty and attends a
specialist residential college the local authority will refund the full cost of
off-peak public transport between home and college at the beginning and
end of each term and each half term holiday. In some cases, the local
authority provides transport between home and the specialist residential
college where this is the nearest suitable course available to the learner
and they meet the criteria laid out in Sections 8 and 10 of this policy.
Independent travel
11.1
As learners become older and move towards greater independence they
may want to develop their skills of independent travel and for some this
may mean using public transport or walking to school or college. For
others transport assistance may be required throughout school/college
life.
11.2
Bus Confidence is a website designed to help young people with special
educational needs travel to school or college on their own. The on-line
training package is available at Bus Confidence free of charge to
students, parents & schools.
For further details: http://www.busconfidence.com/
11.3
Maps – the learner can get maps of all bus routes, trains and Metrolink
routes from the Transport for Greater Manchester website:
http://www.tfgm.com
12.
Learners attending residential schools and colleges
12.1
Support will be given to those learners who meet the criteria set out in this
guidance.
12.2
Learners who are boarding at their nearest suitable specialist residential
college will receive payment of approved travelling expenses for journeys
made to and from the college at the start and end of each full academic
term and at half terms.
Approved travelling expenses will be based upon the cheapest available
fare by public transport for a given journey (and will also be expressed in
terms of a mileage allowance by car for that journey).
12.3
Learners are able to exercise reasonable choice to attend relevant
courses and may take up appropriate education outside of the
Rochdale Council boundary where appropriate subject to the following.

Distance
Payment of or assistance with transport costs will be made where
a learner has to travel more than 3 miles to the nearest school or
college in Rochdale which offers the appropriate course.

Out of Authority schools and colleges
All colleges will have access to a 16-19 Bursary Fund and this can
be used to fund transport costs. This is not ring fenced to learners
who live in the Local Authority where the college is based.
Learners attending out of authority colleges should contact the
College directly to enquire about any transport assistance which
may be available.
Assistance from this provision will only be provided to learners
attending a school or college outside the Rochdale boundary
where an equivalent course of study cannot be undertaken in
Rochdale and no other funding is available. Specific details of the
course will need to be given in order that an assessment can be
made regarding suitability. In such cases transport costs will only
be made available to learners who are attending their nearest
available school or college outside the Rochdale boundary.
12.4
See also Section 10 of this policy – Learners with Learning Difficulties
and/or Disabilities.
13.
14.
15.
Conditions
13.1
Support will not be given to learners if there is no reasonable progression
in their studies. This will be established by staff at the school or college
who have discretion to determine whether satisfactory attendance (under
normal circumstances learners will be expected to attend more than 85%
in any one month) and conduct is being maintained in the context of a
learner’s individual circumstances and with reference to any Student
Learning Agreements which may be in place.
13.2
Learners who are in receipt of transport assistance and who subsequently
fail to attend school or college without a valid reason will see their
transport provision cancelled. Any request for reinstatement must follow
the appeals procedure.
Appeals Procedure
14.1
The Head of Service with the responsibility for Home to School Transport
has the discretion to approve requests for transport assistance in special
circumstances if applications are found to justify approval outside the
guidance. Learners who wish to appeal against the decision not to award
support or to withdraw existing support should contact the SEN & Children
with Disabilities Team on 01706 925981 who will send out a Stage One
Appeal Form in the first instance. Alternatively the learner can download
the form themselves here: FORM UNDER CONSTRUCTION
14.2
If learners are not satisfied with the outcome of their Stage One Appeal, a
further appeal may be made in writing to the Assistant Director, Early Help
and Schools, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU.
Applying for support
15.1
Applications for the assistance described in Section 6.6 of this policy may
be requested by e-mailing 16-19.transport@rochdale.gov.uk and must be
returned, fully completed, by 31st March 2015.
15.2
If the learner has a learning difficulty and/or disability they should contact
the SEN & Children with Disabilities Team on 01706 925981.
Alternatively, application forms may be also be obtained here:
Application Form
relating to Section 10 of Transport Policy.docx
Applications for this support should be received by the SEN & Children
with Disabilities Team before 31/07/2014. In exceptional circumstances
consideration will be given to applications received up to 12/09/2014.
If circumstances change during the academic year the SEN & Children
with Disabilities Team should be contacted on 01706 925981 for advice.