Travel assistance statement for post-16 learners
Portsmouth travel assistance statement for post 16 learners with special educational needs and disabilities.
Section one: introduction
1. Portsmouth City Council and its partners have written this Transport Statement to ensure that young people aged 16-19 in Portsmouth are informed and supported with regard to the travel assistance that is available to them to help them access their learning.
2. This statement has been written in accordance with Section 509 of the Education Act 1996 (amended by 2002 Act) and amendments made to the 1996 Act by the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 (Sections 54 and 57). This policy statement gives consideration to the Department for Education, Post 16 Transport to Education and Training October 2017 statutory guidance for local authorities.
3. There is no statutory entitlement to travel assistance for young people attending Post 16 education (even for young people who had an entitlement when at school) but young people or their parent/carer can apply to be considered for a discretionary award of travel assistance if they have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
4. This document provides information about the range of concessionary fares, discounts, subsidies, passes or travel cards available for young people aged 16-19 studying in or close to Portsmouth, and who provides them. It also sets out how Portsmouth City Council will assist with travel expenses for some Post-16 students with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) where there is evidence of Exceptional Circumstances.
5. For information about Portsmouth’s travel assistance policy for children of statutory school aged i.e. aged 5-16 see the separate “Portsmouth Travel Assistance Policy for Children of Statutory School Age (5-16)“.
6. Support is not normally available for students aged 19 or over to start a new course. To request an additional assessment to be made to establish why it is necessary for the Local Authority, and not the student or the student’s family, to make the travel arrangements contact the adult social care helpline on 023 9268 0810 or by email on ASCoppdAdmin@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Our definition of a new course is one where the named qualification, learning aims, outcomes, unit/course code or title of the course differ to the previous year. For example, an ‘A’ level in maths delivered over 2 years with the qualification being awarded only at the end of the completion of the second year, is considered a continuing course.
Where a student follows a programme of study such as a Level 1 course the first year, and progresses on to the Level 2, the next, or completes a series of courses where the outcomes differ each year and there is no requirement to progress to the second or further years to successfully complete each year, this is NOT considered a continuing course.
7. Portsmouth will not consider assistance with travel to fee paying colleges unless the college has been named in a pupil’s Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or is the nearest college considered by Portsmouth City Council’s SEN team as able to meet the needs of the pupil.
8. The statement applies to children and young people residing in the Portsmouth City area (Post codes PO1 – PO6 including PO7 5BT 1-15, 17,19, 21 and 22, PO7 5AY (even numbers from 2-16, PO7 5BA 1-18, PO7 5BS 6 and 6a, PO7 5AT 1a only, PO7 5AZ 1-16, PO7 5AX 1-13 and 15, PO7 5AU 1-7 9, 11 and 13, PO7 5BU 1-4, PO16 8JH 78 and 80 and PO9 3LN Caravan, East Lodge Farm only). Learners not resident within the above post code areas should refer to the transport policy issued by their own Local Authority.
9. The statement covers the period 31 May 2026 to 30 May 2027.
Section two: eligibility for travel assistance
10. There is no statutory entitlement to travel assistance for post 16 learners. Travel assistance is provided only for post 16 learners who have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) who also meet the Exceptional Circumstances Criteria (see paras 13-20 below).
16-19 Bursary Fund
You could get a bursary to help with education-related costs if you’re aged 16 to 19 and:
- studying at a publicly funded school or college in England – not a university
- on a training course, including unpaid work experience
A publicly funded school is one that does not charge you for attending it.
11. Discounts and concessionary fares may be available to learners through individual education and training providers. Links to their schemes are given at Appendix A, along with contact details to receive the most up to date information.
12. When a course of study is agreed with a learning provider it may be possible to apply for support with travel as set out in Pages 10-13. Please check the travel assistance available with your individual education provider before an application for travel assistance is made to Portsmouth City Council.
13. Some young people with SEND will be eligible for a free bus pass under the national scheme for concessionary bus travel (which also includes the free bus passes for older people). The Portsmouth eligibility criteria mean that these passes are available to people who:
- are blind or partially sighted, profoundly or severely deaf, without speech
- have a disability, or have suffered an injury, which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to walk
- have long term loss of the use of both arms or do not have arms
- have a learning disability – a state of arrested or incomplete development of mind which includes significant impairment of intelligence and social functioning
14. For more information and to apply for a disabled person’s bus pass and a companion pass for those who are unable to travel alone on public transport go to the Council’s website.
15. Split Addresses: Where a young person lives at more than one address eligibility will be assessed using the address of the parent who receives the child benefit.
Travel Assistance Provided under Exceptional Circumstances Criteria
16. Post 16 students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) may be eligible for help under the Exceptional Circumstances Criteria (ECC). Portsmouth City Council recognises the difference that travel assistance can make to the lives of some vulnerable young people. However, the funding available for such support is limited and under continued pressure, so the ECC aims to ensure that travel assistance is allocated to those most in need.
17. The journey from/to the college must be more than three miles, measured by the shortest walking route. Every application for college travel assistance will be considered on an individual basis, and points will be awarded in accordance with the Student Eligibility Grid. Where a need is considered to be high (70+ points) travel assistance will be offered subject to the relevant contribution. Where points are less than 70, travel assistance will be declined. Where an applicant wishes to appeal against the decision, a letter outlining the reasons can be sent to the Access and Entitlement Officer as outlined in the appeals process at Appendix C.
18. Where travel assistance has been agreed in the form of a minibus/taxi a contribution towards the cost of providing travel assistance for Post-16 students will be payable for each young person travelling. Parent/carers who do not meet the criteria for low income will have to make a financial contribution of £690.00 per annum, payable in 3 termly instalments of £230.00, in advance.
19. Parents/carers, who meet the criteria for low income, will have to make a financial contribution of £495.00 per annum payable in 3 termly instalments of £165.00, in advance. Families receiving travel assistance through a Personal Budget (see paragraphs 32-34) are not required to make a financial contribution.
20. Parent/carers who receive any of the following benefits are considered to meet the criteria for low income:
- Income Support
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income based Employment and Support Allowance
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit – your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you receive)
21. Young people who receive any of these benefits in their own right will also be considered to be from a low income family.
22. To apply for travel assistance please complete an application form on the Portsmouth SEN Local Offer website.
Section three: the travel assistance offer
23. Travel assistance will be provided in the first instance in the form of a bus pass, with companion pass where evidence has been provided to show that a student cannot travel independently or as a Personal Transport Budget. Where students have been assessed as requiring council provided travel assistance in the form of a minibus or taxi this will be provided in a safe and cost effective manner, taking account of the young person’s specific needs, with regard to the best use of the Council’s resources, and having regard to the duty on local authorities to promote the use of sustainable travel on journeys to and from places of education in the area. The travel arrangements will also take into account the need to prepare young people for adult life and promote independence, including through supporting independent travel where appropriate.
Travel assistance will only be provided at the beginning and end of the college day, and only on the days that the young person is required to be in college. Travel assistance is not provided to enable young people to attend extra-curricular activities or other commitments outside college hours.
24. Bus Pass: This is a free pass for use on public transport and is generally provided for young people who meet the Exceptional Circumstances Criteria
25. Transport Vehicles: Vehicles and drivers are provided by a suitable qualified registered commercial provider working to contractual standards set out by Portsmouth City Council. A Passenger Assistant (escort) will not usually be provided for a young person in Post 16 provision unless there are exceptional circumstances supported by the college or appropriate professional and agreed by the local authority.
26. Young people are often picked up and set down at a central point (up to one mile from the home address) rather than at their home address. Parents/carers are responsible for the safety of their child until they board and after they exit the vehicle. Where there is evidence that a parent/carer is failing to meet their child on a regular basis a review of entitlement to travel assistance will be made.
27. Where the distance between a pick-up or drop-off points and home to college is less than one mile the City Council will not normally provide travel assistance for that part of the journey. Requests for travel assistance to be provided for a home to pick-up point of less than one mile will be considered on an individual basis and will be dependent upon the medical needs of the pupil and or parent/carer and should be supported by appropriate medical evidence.
28. Travel assistance will be arranged to be non-stressful. Best practice indicates that the maximum journey time should be no longer than 75 minutes for secondary aged pupils and above. However, consideration should be given to traffic conditions within the city. Exceptions may apply for operational reasons, although individual needs will be assessed. Longer journey may be necessary for pupils attending special education needs colleges outside of Portsmouth.
29. Car Mileage Allowance: A mileage allowance of 45p per mile will be payable, for two round trip journeys per day. Parents/carers should check their car insurance policy, as it may be invalidated if they do not inform their insurance company. The mileage allowance is paid monthly onto a prepaid card, similar to a debit card.
30. Personal Transport Budget: Pupils with an Education Health and Care Plan who are eligible for travel assistance can request a personal transport budget. For more information email htstransport@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
31. The Personal Transport Budget is paid onto a prepaid card, similar to a debit card. It can be used however the parent chooses, as long as the young person gets to and from college on time and in a way than ensures their safety, encourages their attendance and does not negatively affect their ability to learn once they are at college. Examples of how Personal Transport Budgets include:
- Covering the costs of driving or cycling with the young person to college.
- Sharing the costs of the college run with another parent such as shared driving responsibilities, walking buses or joint taxi bookings.
32. The amount of the Personal Transport Budget, including elements of mileage, will be paid at a rate determined by the local authority at the time. More details can be found in Portsmouth City Council’s Local Offer.
33. Access to Independent Travel Training: Travel training supports young people and adults to get more out of life through learning the skills and building confidence to use public transport safely. Independent Travel Training is currently provided through some courses offered at Havant and South Downs College and City of Portsmouth College. For more information about accessing support for independent travel please email htstransport@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Section four: additional important information
34. Change of Address: Parents should notify Portsmouth City Council of any change of address giving as much prior notice as possible but a minimum of 10 working days. Students who change their home address will have their eligibility re-assessed based on the new address. Where a student has been entitled to a bus pass the old bus pass must be returned to the Access & Entitlement Officer before a new bus pass can be issued. Where a student moves out of the Portsmouth City area they will need to contact their new home authority for travel assistance, even where the move is temporary.
35. Temporary Accommodation: Families that have been placed in temporary accommodation by the Portsmouth City Council Housing Service outside of the Portsmouth area as defined in section 8 should apply for college travel assistance to the local authority in which they reside.
36. Transport Expectations: It is not always possible to provide the same vehicle, operator, driver or passenger assistant, where required, each day. Throughout the year, and particularly at the start of each new college year, adjustments may need to be made to the arrangements which could result in a change of operator, passenger assistant, vehicle, timings etc. We will always give as much notice as possible of any changes to the service but on occasion we may not be able to give parents/carers prior notice of the adjustment.
It is not guaranteed that travel assistance will be the same each year for entitled students. Travel assistance is provided in the most cost-effective manner and for some families this may be in the form of a bus pass.
37. Passenger Assistants: All the Portsmouth passenger assistants have basic first aid training and will have received the information provided by parents about any health needs. They are there to safely escort your child to college and therefore should be treated with respect.
38. Unacceptable Behaviour Where a young person who has been awarded travel assistance via a taxi or minibus is unable to travel safely to college, including where the young person’s behaviour is such that it may threaten the safety of others or themselves or where the behaviour of a parent or carer threatens the safety or well-being of other students, driver or passenger assistants, the council reserves the right to suspend travel assistance support for up to two weeks. Parents would normally have been contacted by the transport team, including through a formal warning letter from the Integrated Transport Unit, before such a suspension is made. Should a suspension be considered necessary the parents/carers will be responsible for transporting their young person to college during this period. Travel assistance will then be reviewed.
Where there are ongoing issues an officer of the Local Authority will discuss with parents/carers the possible withdrawal of travel assistance and the alternative arrangements which may need to be made, which might include the offer of a public bus pass or personal transport budget.
39. Attendance: Where attendance at college is irregular the Local Authority has the right to review travel assistance and withdraw it if attendance remains unacceptable.
40. Allergies, Food and Drink: We ask all students, passenger assistants and drivers not to consume any food or drink on the vehicles as this poses a choking hazard and we cannot guarantee a nut free environment, as many of the vehicles are also used for other purposes.
41. Armed Forces Covenant: Portsmouth City Council has signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant. Portsmouth City Council will therefore ensure that the needs of members of the armed services are considered in line with the terms of the covenant when application for travel assistance using the exceptional circumstances criteria are assessed.
42. Health and Safety and Medical needs: Health and safety information provided by parents/carers and head teachers/college principal is gathered as part of the application process. This is then assessed and relevant information will be provided to passenger assistants. All of the Portsmouth passenger assistants have basic first aid training and will have received the information provided by parents about any health needs. Routine medication will not be administered or held by members of staff on the journey to and from college. In a medical emergency the passenger assistant or driver will ring 999.
43. Wheelchairs: In some cases it may not be possible to escort students if the wheelchair is not suitable for the vehicle, they will be travelling in. If this is the case, then a Personal Transport Budget will be offered.
44. Appeals: Parents/carers have the right to appeal the decisions made by Portsmouth City Council officers when assessing Travel Assistance for Post 16 Learners. The appeals process is outlined in the Home to College Travel Appeal process detailed in Appendix C.
45. Assessment Errors: Where assistance is found to have been granted in error, notice of four weeks will normally be given that travel assistance will be withdrawn to allow families to make other arrangements
Where entitlement has been denied in error travel assistance will be arranged as soon as possible and consideration will be given to reimbursing parents/carers retrospectively, with a time limit of the start of the academic year in which the error was discovered.
46.Lost and Stolen Bus Passes: Where a bus pass is lost there will be an administration charge made by the bus company to the parents/carers for a replacement. Stolen bus passes will not incur an administration charge if evidence in the form of a police crime number is provided. Lost bus passes will only be replaced once.
47. Complaints: Portsmouth City Council takes complaints seriously and if needed the complaints procedure can be found at Portsmouth City Council portsmouth.gov.uk. In the first instance complaints should be put in writing to:
Complaints Manager, Portsmouth City Council, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hants, PO1 2EA.
48. Contacts The most up to date information on who to contact can be found on the Home to School Transport page.
Appendix A: useful contacts
Access and Entitlement Officer
Portsmouth City Council
Civic Offices
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
Hants
PO1 2EA
Tel: 023 9282 2251
Visit the Portsmouth City Council website.
First Bus Travel Shop
Tel: 0333 014 3480
Visit the First Bus website.
Stagecoach
Walton Road
Portsmouth
Hants
PO6 1TU
Tel: 0345 121 0190
Visit the Stagecoach website.
Government Website
Visit the GOV.UK website.
Colleges within the City of Portsmouth (PO1-PO6):
City of Portsmouth College
Tangier Road
Portsmouth
Hants
PO3 6PZ
Tel: 023 9266 7521
Visit the City of Portsmouth College website.
Local Colleges outside of the City of Portsmouth (PO1-PO6):
Havant & South Downs College (Havant Campus)
New Road
Havant
Hants
PO9 1QL
Tel: 023 9387 9999
Visit the Havant & South Downs College website.
Havant and South Downs College (South Downs College)
College Road
Waterlooville
Hants
PO7 8AA
Tel: 023 9387 9999
Visit the Havant & South Downs College website.
Oaklands Catholic School and 6th Form College
Stakes Hill Road
Waterlooville
Hants
PO7 7BW
Tel: 023 9225 9214
Visit the Oaklands Catholic School website.
City of Portsmouth College and Havant and South Downs College provide a range of discounted travel options. For the latest information see their websites:
Appendix B: student eligibility grid
Parent and family factors
| Number | Criteria | Points | How points are awarded |
| 1 | The applicant is primary school age and the parent or carer of the applicant has other PRIMARY school aged children to escort to their CATCHMENT school, nearer school or another school allocated by Portsmouth City Council Admissions Team. Or the parent/carer has older children with special educational needs or disabilities to escort to their designated place of education and the distance between the education establishment and the home would prevent all of the students form arriving at their educational establishment before the start of the school day. | 20 | The Access and Entitlement Officer will be responsible for checking walking distances.
Evidence of parent/carer working hours may be required. The School Admissions Service will be contacted to ensure parent/carers have requested their designated catchment school as a first preference. Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer, but the decision may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 2 | Difficult Family Circumstances | 20 | Evidence may be taken from an Early Help Assessment (EHA) or Single Assessment Framework (SAF) or Child in Need Plan (CIN) where one is in place. The EHA/SAF/CIN must support the need for transport assistance to school for the child named in the application.
Where there is no EHA/SAF/CIN in place or a parent has refused permission to use the EHA/SAF/CIN, evidence from a medical practitioner may be considered. Evidence from Portsmouth City Council Housing may be used where the applicant is living in temporary accommodation or a refuge. Points may also be awarded where there is evidence of domestic abuse; or where a young person in Year 10/11 moves house and the distance between the new house and the school is over the statutory walking distance; or where a parent/carer of a primary aged child or older child with special educational needs or disabilities has a sudden debilitating illness, which makes it difficult for them to escort that child to school. Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 3 | You are the only adult living in the household. | 10 | Evidence may be requested. Portsmouth City Council database will be used to evidence this information.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 4 | A family or young person (if the young person is applying for transport in their own right) who receives any of the following benefits:
|
10 | Parent/carers/young people will need to provide a current benefit award letter Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 5 | A parent/carer who has access to a motor vehicle which they are licenced to drive. If NO | 5 | Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 6 | A parent/carer with a medical or mental health condition who is the only adult responsible for taking a PRIMARY aged child to school, or an older child where there is evidence of special educational needs and disabilities who is unable to walk unaccompanied. Adults with parental responsibility who do not live in the same household may still be expected to escort their children to school, i.e. non-resident parent, other family member. | 5 | Current and relevant medical evidence will be required from a health professional which specifically states that the parent/carer would not be able to escort their PRIMARY aged child or older child with special educational needs and disabilities from home to school and back home.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 7 | A parent/carer who is a full time primary carer for another family member living in the household. | 5 | You will need to provide evidence that you are in receipt of ‘Carers Allowance’ which has been awarded to support a family member living in the household and responsibility for their care would prevent you from walking a PRIMARY aged child, or older child with special educational needs and disabilities to school.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 8 | You and your partner work and your working hours mean it is not possible for you to escort your PRIMARY aged child/children or older child with special educational needs and disabilities who is unable to walk unaccompanied to school. | 5 | Parents/carers will need to provide a letter from their employer stating the start and finish times of their working day.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
Child and young person factors
| Number | Criteria | Points | How points are awarded |
| 9 | You are a young person who is attending college or 6th form or other learning provider and were entitled to school transport because of your special educational needs or disability in the year before you reached 16 years of age.
Or attended a mainstream school with and Education, Health and Care Plan that specifies full time support |
20 | Evidence will only be required if you were living outside of the PO1-PO6 post code area at the time you were receiving transport assistance.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at any subsequent appeal. |
| 10 | Your child is attending a specialist resource provision allocated by the special educational needs and disabilities team. | 10 | You will not normally be required to provide evidence. |
| 11 | Your child or young person has a physical disability or a learning disability and has an Education Health and Care Plan | 10 | Parents/carers can give permission for evidence to be used from the Education Health and Care Plan.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at subsequent appeal. |
| 12 | The child or young person does not have an Education Health and Care Plan but has a medical condition which prevents them from walking to school. | 10 | Supporting medical evidence from a health professional will be required which specifically states that the child or young person is unable to walk to school.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at subsequent appeal. |
| 13 | You are a secondary aged pupil or young person over 16 years of age and you are unable to travel independently. | 5 | Evidence must be provided confirming that the young person is unable to travel independently from a GP or other health professional.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at subsequent appeal. |
| 14 | You are a student or parent/carer of a Post 16 student with special educational needs or disabilities, and you have to walk significantly further (more than one mile) than the usual statutory walking distances outlined on Pages 4 and 5 of this document. | 10 | You will not normally be required to provide evidence.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at subsequent appeal. |
Environmental factors
| Number | Criteria | Points | How points are awarded |
| 15 | There is no public transport available on the usual walking route from the child/young person’s home to school. | 5 | You will not normally be required to provide evidence.
Points will be awarded at the discretion of the Access and Entitlement Officer but may be challenged at subsequent appeal. |
Appendix C: college travel assistance appeal process
Stage 1
The Access and Entitlement Team assesses the application for College Travel Assistance using the Exceptional Circumstances Criteria Student Eligibility Grid and if transport is declined the parent/carer/young person may challenge the decision (within 20 working days) on the basis of:
- Entitlement
- Distance measurement
- Route Safety
- Points awarded.
Stage 2
The Access and Entitlement Team passes the application to the Special Educational Needs Case Management Decision meeting who review the application and supporting evidence. If the appeal is unsuccessful parents/carers or their representatives can challenge the decision (within 20 working days.)
Stage 3
The Access and Entitlement Officer prepares and presents the case on behalf of Portsmouth City Council to the Inclusion Transport Appeal Panel. The parent/carer/ young person or their representatives are invited to attend and present their case. If the appeal is unsuccessful the parent/carer/young person can challenge the decision, in writing to the Deputy Director of Education (within 20 working days)
Stage 4
The Deputy Director of Children’s Services reviews the case and parents/carers/young people are informed of the decision in writing, within 40 working days. The Deputy Director of Children’s Services decision letter gives details of how to escalate a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.