We provide travel support for young people aged 16 to 25 with Special Educational Needs (SEN) who meet certain eligibility criteria.
The Post-16 Travel and Transport Policy is being updated and is expected to be published Thursday 8 May 2025. All Post-16 applications for the 2025/26 academic year will be considered in line with the updated policy.
How we support young people with SEN
We support young people to travel on their own by providing bespoke travel training.
We encourage active travel (such as walking, cycling) and public transport wherever possible.
When choosing which post 16 school or college to apply for, it's important to consider how your young person will get there. Some young people are eligible for travel support, but not everyone.
Travel support can include:
- independent travel training, helping young people develop skills and confidence to travel on their own
- free travel passes
- money back for travel costs to and from school or college
- minibus or taxi transport, usually shared with other young people
Cost
It costs £540 a year for travel support in post 16 education. This is a contribution towards the total cost of the transport. It's based on your young person going to school or college 5 days a week.
It can reduced depending on the number of days your young person is attending. It can be paid by:
- Direct Debit
- an online payment
- standing order
You may be able to get a 16 to 19 bursary to help with the cost. Your young person’s school, college or training provider can give you the forms to complete and explain the criteria.
Who can apply
We assess applications for Post 16 travel support based on our Post 16 Travel and Transport Policy.
We look at:
- the young person’s needs and distance from school/college
- whether the route can be travelled safely by walking or using public transport, possibly supported by an adult
- how a young person currently gets to school or college
Having an Education, Health and Care Plan does not guarantee travel support. Your young person can qualify for travel support without one.
When you're not eligible
A young person will not normally get travel support just because their parents' work or caring commitments mean they can't accompany them.
When to re-apply
If your young person needs travel support to get to their post 16 setting, you'll need to re-apply each year for Year 12 and above. This is because your young person’s circumstances and needs can change.
How to apply
You can apply online.
If you require a paper copy of the application form, please get in touch..