SEND post-16 travel assistance policy

This policy describes what travel assistance will be considered to support young people of sixth form age, to access appropriate education and training. Support will be assessed and if required, the most suitable travel assistance will be provided.

We have no specific duty to make transport arrangements for young people of sixth form age, even if they have an EHCP.

Our aim is to promote greater independence and ability for young people who have special needs and disability, who may need additional support when travelling to and from sixth form/college. Promoting the independence of young people with SEND empowers them to become integrated into mainstream society as soon as possible and helps them on their journey towards adulthood.

Wandsworth’s SEND Travel Assistance Policy only applies to Wandsworth’s residents. Residents of other boroughs should apply to the local authority where they normally live.

This policy has been developed in accordance with the DfE's Post-16 Home to school Travel and Transport guidance.

Independent Travel Training (ITT)

Travel training is available for secondary and college aged students who have been assessed as being ready and able to begin learning to travel to and from school independently. Independent travel training, focused on the needs and capabilities of a young person, can increase independence by developing personal, social and life skills. By working closely with parent/carers, young person and the school, travel training will contribute to greater independence for the young person and thus will always be given priority as an option when considering suitable solutions.

Travel training may be on a 1:1 basis or some aspects of training might be undertaken with a small group, but there will always be an individual focus in enabling the young people to develop independence on their own route between home and school. Criteria for successful completion of the training are based on an agreed rigorous training programme and assessment process undertaken by a qualified Travel Trainer. If the child is not deemed to be ready for travel training, the existing travel assistance will continue, and this will be kept under review.

Travel Assistance Budget (TAB)

Travel Assistant Budgets are to support families to make arrangements for the young person. It will reduce journey times, and/or support independence and enable the young person to become an independent traveller. It also gives parents/carers the flexibility to choose the mode of transport that suits their prevailing circumstances as the budget allows them to switch from one mode of transport to another. This budget can be spent in any way seen fit to enable the young person to get to school, keeping flexibility and control with the family. The payments are split throughout the financial year and the money is paid at the start of the term.

If a parent or carer receives a TAB, it is their duty to use that payment to arrange for their young person to get to and from school every school day. It is parents’ responsibility to ensure that the mode of transport provided is safe and accessible and that school attendance is maintained. The budget will be individually tailored to each family’s circumstance.

Official bus or taxi (discretionary option)

A bus or taxi will be considered if the young person has severe physical /complex learning disabilities, that affects their ability to travel on public transport. Spaces in one of the shared buses or taxis will be offered at our discretion.

Taxis for those students unable to travel independently will only be supplied for the actual journeys between the student's normal home address and the agreed learning provider.

How to apply

Learners can start to apply from late April and early May.

Applications are dealt with on a first come first served basis.

You can find further information and apply on the Family Information Service website.

Other funding

For young people attending colleges too far for daily travel and those attending residential colleges, information about the support available can be found at the GOV.UK website.

Assistance is also available for young parents aged 16-18 for support with travel costs to their childcare provider whilst studying. The Care to Learn Grant also pays for registered childcare support.

Apprentices or non-employed Programme Led Apprentices can apply to their learning provider for reasonable expenses where these are a barrier to learning, from the Additional Learner Support allocation.

Concessionary fares, discounts, subsidies, passes or travel cards

Young people who live in a London borough, are aged 16 to 17 and in full time education (over 12 hours) may qualify for a 16+ Oyster Card, which entitles them to free bus and tram transport within London. Students aged 18 and over can apply for an 18+ Oyster Card which enables them to qualify for 30% reduction on some fares and tickets.

Sixth form schools and colleges and further education colleges have the Post 16 Bursary to support their learners and can make their own local policies to manage this fund within the guidelines. Contact the schools/colleges directly for more information about their policy. 

Most tickets are available to use any time and within the zones identified on the ticket, but check with the transport provider or Transport for London website for further information.

Other points of contact

Contact details for local schools, colleges and other useful sources of information.

Sixth form schools within the borough

Sixth form colleges and further education colleges

Other useful sites

Complaints

If you wish to make a complaint, our complaints procedure will apply.

Up to Schools financial help

Updated: 14/02/2024