Request for post-16 travel assistance

The assessment for eligibility for post-16 is different from pre-16, and you must not assume that a student eligible for pre-16 travel assistance will be eligible for post-16 assistance. 
Solihull and the wider West Midlands is predominantly a large urban area that is well-served by an extensive bus and rail network.  The vast majority of schools and colleges are well served by this network.  To support this network Solihull Council pays an annual levy (£8.6m 2022/23) to Transport for West Midlands, a proportion of which supports subsidised bus, train and tram travel for children and young people.  Consequently, the vast majority of post-16 learners can access their course with subsidised travel costs using the transport network.
Solihull Council wants all young people to have the same access to opportunities in life: to travel, to get a job, have friends and relationships, to live as independently as possible, to have a good social life and to be valued in their community.  Learning to travel on public transport is an essential skill.  We actively promote independent travel so that all young people can access their community, training and learning opportunities as well as social and leisure activities.
High-needs students with severe mobility or learning difficulties who are unable to travel to their course independently and can prove that there is no other family member or carer who can meet their travel needs may apply for discretionary travel assistance.
The student must	
1	Live permanently in Solihull	
2	Attend a suitable course at a nearby suitable school, further education college of institution or 16-19 academy	
3	Be aged 16-18 at the time of application, or have started the course before their 19th birthday	
4	Be unable to travel to their course independently	

Applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be individually assessed for eligibility.  Applicants who qualify may be offered a travel solution from the following:

Independent travel training	Young person or parent can apply for independent travel training	
Seat on a vehicle to:
Forest Oak Post-16
Hazel Oak Post-16
Merstone Special School
Reynalds Cross Special School
Other specialist provision	Young person or parent who qualifies for this option will have to pay a contribution of £750 per year or £250 per term, towards the cost.
Low income families should approach their school or college for financial assistance through the 16-19 Bursary Fund.	

Students and families in need of financial assistance for travel	Apply to their school or college for financial assistance through the 16-19 Bursary Fund	

Read the Post-16 Transport policy statement	https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/Help-with-travelling-to-school 	
Contact us if you need help	8	edtrans@solihull.gov.uk
	0121 704 6610	

	

Request for post-16 travel assistance
		
Student’s name		
Date of birth		
Address		
		Post code		
Parent’s name		
Email		
Home phone		Mobile phone		
School or college you need to get to		
School or college address		
		Post code		
Attendance	Days	 Monday	 Tuesday	 Wednesday	 Thursday	 Friday	
	Times						
What are you applying for?	•	I would like independent travel training
•	I would like my a seat on a vehicle to one of the following schools and I will pay the contribution of £750 per year or £250 per term:
	Forest Oak Sixth Form or Hazel Oak Sixth Form
	Merstone Special School or Reynalds Cross Special School

	Other specialist provision 	(name)
	
Why are you applying for assistance?				
		
Evidence you need to send in support of your request	•	Letter of support from paediatrician or consultant stating why the student is unable to travel independently to school or college 
•	Copy of your DLA/PIP award letter showing receipt of mobility benefit if the student receives this.	
Office use:	Decision:								Distance:	

Is there anything else you think we should consider?	

	

	

		
Has the student had travel assistance before?		
How does the student travel to school or college now?		
How does the student travel to places other than school or college?	

		
Does the student have to travel in his or her own wheelchair?	Yes / No	
If we need more information our Travel Options Assessment Officer will contact you	
	I confirm that the information provided is accurate, to the best of my knowledge.  Transport team is collecting your information and will use it to process your application.  If you qualify for assistance we will share your data with other agencies and service providers to ensure that the appropriate service is delivered.  Your information may also be shared with other council services and partner organisations to ensure our records are kept accurate and to help us to identify services or benefits you may be entitled to or interested in. We may also need to share your information for the prevention and detection of fraud and/or other crimes or as the law requires. For further information about how we use your information please refer to the Council’s Privacy Statement on www.solihull.gov.uk or contact edtrans@solihull.gov.uk. 

Signed:			Date:	

Return this form to:

School Transport
Solihull Council
Manor Square
Solihull  B91 3QB
	
Contact us:

8	edtrans@solihull.gov.uk

(	0121 704 6610