Post-16 travel

Local authorities do not have to provide free or subsidised post 16 travel support but do have a duty to prepare and publish an annual travel assistance policy statement specifying the arrangements for the provision of transport or other support that the authority considers it necessary to make to facilitate the attendance of all persons of sixth form age receiving education or training.

Most young people in Slough will be able to access their education without the support of the Council. It is expected that public transport and other travel options (including financial support) are explore in the first instance and utilised wherever possible.

All young people carrying on their education post 16 must reapply for travel support.

‘Sixth form age’ refers to those young people who are:

• over 16 years of age and under 19 or
• continuing learners who started their programme of learning before their 19th birthday (years 12,13,14).

Local authorities also have a duty to encourage, enable and assist young people with learning difficulties / disabilities to participate in education and training, up to the age of 25.

This policy uses the term ‘Post 16’ to include both:

• learners of sixth form age and
• those with learning difficulties / disabilities up to the age of 25.

This policy document specifies the support that Slough Borough Council (the council) considers necessary to facilitate the attendance of Post 16 learners receiving education or training.

Education or training refers to learning or training at a school, further education institution, a council maintained or assisted institution providing higher or further education, an establishment funded directly by the Education Skills Funding Agency, learning providers delivering accredited programmes of learning which lead to positive outcomes and are funded by the council, for example, colleges, charities and private learning providers.

Aims and Objectives

The council has the following aims and objectives when assessing transport / travel support:

• social integration of children and young people whatever their needs
• support and develop Independence and resilience for children and young people with SEND and their families
• environmentally sustainable travel
• efficient use of public resources
• to support students from low-income families access education.