North Lincolnshire Council

This is a transport policy statement for students aged 16-18 in further education and continuing students aged 19 and over.

Name of council:

Department responsible:

Children, Strategy and Partnerships

1. Summary of policy statement and main objectives

The policy is to support North Lincolnshire students continuing in full-time education after they are 16. We recognise that many students in North Lincolnshire will need to travel considerable distances in order to attend college or school 6th form. The policy aims to give all students the same opportunity to access courses within our area, no matter where they live.

2. Details of all concessionary fares, discounts, subsidies, passes or travel cards available for students aged 16-19 and who provides them. Also details of any costs to the student.

The amount of support available to students depends on whether they received transport support in 2007/8 and whether the course of study they are undertaking in 2008/9 is a natural progression from that.

2.1 Students who received a free pass in 2007/8 and whose 2008/9 course is a natural progression from their previous year's study

You can apply for a free pass to travel on public transport, but must pay a £30 administration fee.

2.2 New students, students who previously had a half fare pass, students who are starting on a different course of study to that they were on in 2007/8

You must make a £180 contribution to your travel pass. This can be paid in termly instalments of £80 (Autumn Term), £60 (Spring Term), £40 (Summer Term). If you pay the full annual amount at the start of the Autumn Term you get a £10 discount, and pay only £170. If you withdraw from your course before the end of the academic year a refund may be available.

We will consider paying mileage allowances to students unable to travel by public transport. If students are unable to access a bus route we will consider alternative arrangements, and they should contact us to discuss this.

Students can obtain application forms from colleges and school 6th forms in North Lincolnshire, or apply to the Education Transport Team, North Lincolnshire Council, Hewson House, Station Road, Brigg. Telephone 01724 297218.

3. What times during the day can students use their travel pass or obtain concessionary fares?

Students can use their travel passes between the hours of 7am and 8.30pm, on school/college days only. They can make one return journey per day from home to school/college.

4. Will support continue to be made available to students who reach 19 while continuing on a course?

Support is available for a maximum of 3 years to students who are under 19 when they start their course.

5. How will students be assessed to see if they are eligible for support?

There is no means testing. However eligibility is subject to the student living in North Lincolnshire on the first day of their course, and:

Having 'settled' status and being ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years before the course starts, or
Being a national of any European Union country and being ordinarily resident in the European Economic Area for at least 3 years before the start of the course
Meeting any other residency criteria applicable to Education Maintenance Allowances

Students will be expected to attend courses within North Lincolnshire but we will consider applications to other colleges if it is much easier to travel there, and it would unreasonable to travel to a course in our area, or if the course is unavailable and is essential to the student's career progression.

6. What help do you provide for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities including those over 19 or students facing other difficulties in following their courses?

We provide the same level of support, subject to the conditions in section 5 above, except that:

Specialist transport including an escort may be provided if students are not able to use public transport and need extra care
We will consider continuing support until students are 22 years of age, but must have evidence that they will derive educational benefit from your course

Where students attend residential placements support will normally be a mileage allowance for an approved number of return trips per year. In approving support we take account of whether or not the family receives the higher rate mobility allowance or mobility car in respect of the student.

7. Do you provide mobility/independence training for students who face difficulty with transport?

Independent travel training is provided for students who attend St Hugh's Communication and Interaction Specialist College, North Lindsey College and John Leggott College.

8. When should students start to apply for transport support?

Students should start to apply for transport support as early as possible. If we receive their application by 31 July we will ensure their travel pass will be available for the start of the Autumn Term.

9. What help can students apply for if they need to travel to a course that is outside the North Lincolnshire area?

As explained in section 5 above, we will consider applications from students wishing to attend a course outside North Lincolnshire. They should enclose a covering letter to support their case with their application form. Unless the student has special needs and the council has approved their placement, we will not consider applications from students living more than 25 miles from the course.

10. What help is available for students who attend a further education institution which is beyond daily distance and they need to stay away?

No support is provided unless the student has special education needs, had a statement of special needs when they were at school and whose residential placement has been approved by the council. As explained in section 6, we may offer a mileage allowance in such circumstances.