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Home to School Travel Support – Important reminder for Year 11 pupils with an EHCP transferring to Post 16 education for September 2024
Published
Gloucestershire County Council share important information and the latest updates around Home to School Transport for young people with an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) moving into Post 16 Education.
If your child/young person is completing the statutory stage of their education at the end of July please be aware that if they are currently entitled to support with home to school transport this will also cease at the end of the academic year.
Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) has a responsibility to provide home to school transport for eligible children and young people of statutory school age from 4 years up to the age of 16. Once a student reaches the age of 16, local authorities do not have to provide free or subsidised travel. In Gloucestershire however, we take the approach that, where a pupil remains eligible for transport, we will provide support through either:
1. A bus pass to provide independent travel to and from school/college. Where this is possible, we will also look to provide support in the form of Independent Travel Training. This would be delivered on a one-to-one basis and will help young people to gain confidence in:
· Using public transport (buses and trains as appropriate)
· Support with crossing roads (understanding road safety and using various crossings available on their specific route)
· Understanding personal safety and awareness of surroundings
Further information on Independent Travel Training can be found via the following link Independent travel training | Gloucestershire County Council
or
- A contribution towards the cost of travel arrangements through a Personal Transport Budget (PTB). This is a monthly payment made directly to the parent/carer and is intended to be a contribution towards travel expenses. The PTB gives you the flexibility to pay for your own arrangements, enhancing your choice and control over how your child/young person gets to school or college. How you use the contribution is up to you, as long as they attend school or college.
Even if your child/young person is moving into a post 16 setting at the school they currently attend, you will still need to apply for support if needed. Information on Post 16 Home to School Transport for Parents/Carers is available to download from our website: Transport Policy for Students Aged 16-19 | Gloucestershire County Council
The information includes details about other possible financial assistance that is available for learners including the 16-19 bursary fund which could be available to support young people overcome specific barriers to participation. Section 4 of the Post 16 Travel Policy Statement provides more information on this, with further information available via https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund/eligibility
If you require further assistance with any enquiries on this or would like to know more about how GCC is able to assist your child/young person as they transfer from statutory to post 16 education, please contact the SEN Travel Enablement Team on tel: 01452 425011 or email sen.transport@gloucestershire.gov.uk