Help with Travel for Students Aged 16–19 and 19-24 With SEND

Below is an accessible version of the policy in plain English.

If you need more help to read this policy please click the blue circle in the corner of your screen. This will help you to see or hear this policy in the way that works for you.

If you need this policy in another language you can click on the ‘Select Language’ bar at the bottom of the screen.

If the bar is not there copy the web address of this page.

Go to the Google Translate website.

Select ‘websites’ and paste the web address of this page into the text box.

You can then select your language and the translation will appear.

2 Main Rules About Travel Help

2.1 These Key Principles apply to all age groups covered by this policy. 

2.2 Getting into a school or college doesn’t mean you get travel help automatically. 
Travel help is separate from school and college admissions. 

2.3 The Council has a limited budget. 
Decisions about travel help depend on available funds and other requests. 

2.4 Tell us if things change. 
Parents or carers must let the Council know if anything changes that might affect travel help. 

2.5 We check if you can travel on your own. 
We may offer Independent Travel Training (ITT) to help you learn to travel independently. 

2.6 We look at other travel options first. 
We will consider all ways you might get to school or college before offering travel help. 

2.7 We encourage Personal Transport Budgets. 
These give families more control over travel arrangements. 

2.8 Parents may need to help with travel. 
Parents are expected to travel with their child if needed, until the child turns 18. 

2.9 We review travel help every year. 
We also review it if your situation changes, like moving house or changing schools. 

2.10 We may look at how you travel for other things. 
This includes shopping, visiting family, or going out. 

1 Who This Travel Help Is For

This policy explains what travel help Wirral Council offers to students aged 16 to 25 who live in Wirral and are in education or training. You can find this policy online at www.wirral.gov.uk/travelassist. 

If you have questions or want to give feedback, email Travel Assist at travelassist@wirral.gov.uk. 

Important: 
If you are continuing your education after age 16, you must apply again for travel help. 

This policy covers: 

• Students aged 16–19 (sixth form age) 

• Students up to age 25 with learning difficulties or disabilities 

“Sixth form age” means students who are over 16 but under 19, or who started their course before turning 19 (Years 12, 13, or 14). 

3 Ways You Can Get Help With Travel

Bus and Train Passes

You may be able to get a travel pass if you don’t qualify for other help with travel costs, like the Merseytravel Disabled Persons Travel Pass or a bursary. Each case is looked at individually. 

If you get a bus pass, it will be a pre-paid Merseytravel SOLO ticket. This lets you travel on public buses in the Merseytravel area from home to school or college. If you need to use both bus and train, you might get a TRIO ticket. There may be a cost for this. 

Travel Help from Merseytravel 

Merseytravel offers discounted tickets and passes for students and people in full-time education or training. These include: 

• SOLO tickets – for buses only 

• TRIO tickets – for buses, trains, and ferries 

• Rail Passes – for trains only 

Prices depend on your age and the area you travel in. You can buy tickets weekly, monthly, or yearly. If you turn 18 during a school term, you’ll need to buy an adult ticket for the whole term. 

For advice, visit a Merseytravel Centre or call Merseytravel Hub Support on 0151 236 6056. 
More info: www.merseytravel.gov.uk 

Merseytravel Free Travel for People With Disabilities 

If you live in Merseyside and have certain disabilities, you may get free travel on buses, trains, and ferries. You may qualify if you: 

• Are blind or partially sighted 

• Are profoundly or severely deaf 

• Cannot speak 

• Have trouble walking due to a disability or injury 

• Do not have arms or cannot use them 

• Have a learning disability 

• Cannot get a driving licence due to epilepsy, serious health conditions, or dementia 

• Have serious mental health issues 

Arriva Bus Passes for Students

Arriva offers student passes for buses in the North West, including Wirral, Merseyside, Halton, and Lancashire. 
More info: www.arrivabus.co.uk/student-travel 

Stagecoach Bus Travel

Stagecoach runs buses in Wirral and nearby areas like Wrexham. 
More info: www.stagecoachbus.com 

Train Discount for Students

The 16–25 Railcard gives you one-third off train fares. Check with train companies for the best deals. 
More info: www.railcard.co.uk 

Help With Walking to School or College

If you live close enough to walk but can’t do it on your own, a travel buddy can walk with you on a safe route to and from school or college. 

Travel Help From Your School or College 

Many schools and colleges have their own travel support. You can find details on their websites or in Appendix 1 of this policy. Contact your school or college directly for the latest info. 

Money Help for Students Aged 16–19 

This fund helps students stay in education by giving financial support to those who need it. 

There are two types of bursaries: 

1. Vulnerable Bursary 

You could get up to £1,200 a year if you are: 

• In care 

• A care leaver 

• Getting Income Support or Universal Credit in your own name 

• Getting Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit, and Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment 

• Living alone and responsible for yourself 

2. Discretionary Bursary 

This helps with costs like: 

• Travel 

• Meals 

• Books 

• Equipment 

To apply, you must: 

• Be aged 16 to 18 on 31 August 2026 

• Or be aged 19 or over and have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) 

• Or be aged 19 or over and continuing a course you started when you were 16–18 

• Be studying a course that is checked for quality by a public body like Ofsted, and funded by the government or local council 

Schools and colleges manage these bursaries. To apply, contact your school or college directly. 

More info: www.gov.uk – search for “post 16 bursaries”. 

Personal Transport Budget 

If a parent or carer can take a student to school or college, they can apply for a Personal Transport Budget. 

This is only offered if it’s the cheapest option and the Council agrees that it won’t affect attendance. 

The budget includes: 

• £3 per day 

• 45p per mile (within Wirral), up to 2 return trips per day 

If the journey is outside Wirral, other options may be offered. The budget is reviewed every year. 

Payments are made monthly to the bank account of the parent, carer, or student. You can spend the money how you choose, but you must attend school or college regularly. 

Council-Provided Vehicles for Travel

In special cases, Wirral Council may provide a vehicle to take a student to and from school or college. 

What you need to know: 

• Vehicles and drivers are from approved companies. 

• Students usually travel in shared minibuses or taxis. 

• Vehicles are adapted to meet students’ needs. 

• Routes are planned to match school or college start and finish times. 

• The shortest route is used whenever possible. 

• Extra journeys (outside normal times) must be paid for by the school or college. 

Pick-Up and drop-Off: 

• Students are picked up and dropped off at a nearby safe location, often a bus stop. 

• Parents or carers must make sure the student gets to and from this point. 

• Home pick-up and drop-off is only offered if the student has serious needs. 

Passenger Assistants: 

• Some vehicles have a passenger assistant if supervision is needed. 

• All drivers and assistants must pass a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level. 

Reviews and changes: 

• Travel help is usually approved for one school year. 

• It is reviewed every year to make sure it’s still suitable. 

• The Independent Travel Training (ITT) team will check if the student can learn to travel independently. 

If anything changes—like your address, school, or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)—you must tell the Assisted Travel Team. 

If travel help was approved by mistake, the Council can stop it at any time. 

Help With Childcare and Travel for Young Parents

If you're a parent under 20 years old, the Care to Learn scheme can help pay for: 

• Childcare costs 

• Travel to and from your childcare provider 

• Childcare deposits and registration fees 

• A trial childcare session (up to 5 days) 

• Keeping your childcare place during summer holidays 

Types of childcare covered: 

Your childcare provider must be registered with Ofsted or the Care Quality Commission. This can include: 

• Childminders 

• Nurseries 

• Pre-school playgroups 

• Out-of-school clubs 

If your child needs specialist care, the provider must also be registered for that. 

Can a relative be paid? 

Yes, but only if they: 

• Provide registered childcare for children they’re not related to 

• Live separately from you and your child 

How Payments Work: 

• Childcare payments go straight to the childcare provider 

• Travel payments go to your school or college – they will either pay you or arrange travel 

When Payments Stop: 

Payments will stop if: 

• You stop attending your course 

• You finish your course 

• Your child stops going to childcare 

Who Can Apply: 

You can get help from Care to Learn if: 

• You’re under 20 when your course starts 

• You’re the main carer for your child 

• You live in England 

• You’re a British citizen or from a European Economic Area (EEA) country 

• Your course is publicly funded (ask your school or college to check) 

Courses That Qualify: 

You must be studying in England at a place that gets public funding, such as: 

• Schools 

• Sixth form colleges 

• Other colleges or learning providers (including Foundation Learning) 

Young parents can also apply for: 

• An Under 19 Bus Only Ticket 

• A 19–25 travel card (if aged 19 or over) 

More info: www.gov.uk/care-to-learn/how-to-claim 

Help With Living Costs for Students Studying Away From Home

This scheme helps students aged 16 and over who need to live away from home to study because their course isn’t available locally. 

What it covers: 

• Accommodation costs for students who meet the rules 

• Courses funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency 

• Courses that last at least 10 weeks and require more than 16 hours of study per week 

• Courses that lead to a Level 2 or Level 3 qualification (first time) 

Who can apply: 

You must be: 

• Aged 16 or older 

• Studying a qualifying course that isn’t available near your home 

• Attending a course that meets the time and level requirements 

How to get more information: 

• Call the national helpline: 0800 121 8989 

• Visit: www.gov.uk/residential-support-scheme 

4 Travel Help for Students Without Disabilities or Learning Needs

Wirral Council does not have to provide free or discounted travel for students aged 16 and over who do not have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This includes students who:

• Are in mainstream education

• Did not get free travel when they were aged 5–16

However, this policy gives information to help all students and families in Wirral find travel options. You can check:

• The Council’s website

• Your school or college

• Local transport providers

If you use a discounted travel pass or ticket, make sure to check the rules with the transport company. Some passes may have limits on when or where you can travel.

4.1 Travel Costs You May Need to Pay

If the Council decides that providing transport is the cheapest option, students aged 16–18 and those aged 19 who are continuing their course must pay a contribution of £680 per year.

Wirral Council will work with families to set up a payment plan. You can pay:

• Monthly

• Termly

• Annually

Lower Cost for Families on Low Income:

If your family gets certain benefits, the cost is reduced by 50%. You must show proof of one of these:

• Universal Credit (with earned income under £7,400 a year)

• Income Support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Pension Credit (guarantee element)

• Child Tax Credit (if not getting Working Tax Credit and income is under £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying)

Students Who Don’t Have to Pay:

You won’t be charged if you are:

• A young person looked after by Wirral Council

• Living alone and getting Income Support in your own name

• A young carer (you’ll need a letter from a support worker or organisation)

4.2 Travel Help for Students With SEND Aged 16–18

Wirral Council can offer travel help to students aged 16–18 with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). This help is not automatic and is decided case by case.

To qualify, you must:

• Live in Wirral

• Be studying at a school, college, or academy with at least 450 guided learning hours per year

• Or have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and attend the nearest suitable school or college

You must apply every year for travel help.

If you don’t meet these rules, your application may still be considered in exceptional cases.

Other Things the Council Looks At:

The Council will also think about:

• Whether it’s reasonable for you to get to your school or college without help

• Whether you have real choices between different schools or colleges

• Whether there are enough suitable places for students aged 16–18

• How far you live from school or college, how long the journey takes, and how much it costs

• Whether there are other ways you could get there

• What your EHCP says about travel needs

If you or your parent/carer choose a school or college that is not the nearest suitable one, the Council may:

• Compare the cost of travel to both places

• Decide that the nearest suitable school or college should also be named in your EHCP

• Ask you or your parent/carer to pay for travel if the chosen place is more expensive

4.3 Travel Help for Students With SEND Aged 19–25

This part of the policy is for students aged 19 to 25 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and live in Wirral.

Who Can Get Help:

You must be studying at one of the following:

• A school (including academies)

• A college or sixth form

• A place funded by the Council or the Education Funding Agency

• An independent specialist provider for students with learning difficulties or disabilities

• A learning provider funded by the Council (this could be a college, charity, or private provider)

How the Council Decides:

The Council looks at your individual needs to decide what kind of travel help is right for you. If you meet the rules, the Council will provide travel help free of charge if it’s needed.

This applies to:

• Adults aged 19 or over going to a college or university funded by the Council

• Adults under 25 with an EHCP who are studying somewhere outside the college or university system, and the Council has arranged both the education and the place to live

What the Council Considers:

When deciding what travel help to offer, the Council will look at:

• What transport is already available

• Your physical mobility

• Whether you can travel on your own

• If you have a Motability vehicle and whether it’s reasonable to use it

• Whether family or carers can help with travel

• Any health or safety risks during travel

If the Council agrees to provide travel help, they will choose the most suitable and cost-effective option based on your needs.

5 Learning to Travel on Your Own

Independent Travel Training (ITT) helps students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) learn how to travel safely and confidently on their own to school or college.

What the Training Offers:

• Skills to travel independently

• Support tailored to each student’s needs

• A flexible programme that goes at the student’s own pace

• Builds confidence, independence, and social skills

• Opens up opportunities for education, work, and leisure

Who Can Take Part:

• Students aged 16 or over (if they have the ability to agree to the training)

• Parents or carers must agree if the student is under 16 or doesn’t have capacity

• Students must be assessed to see if the training is suitable

If a student is suitable, the family is expected to take part in the programme.

Travel Costs During Training:

• If the student doesn’t qualify for a Merseytravel Disabled Persons Travel Pass, the Council will pay for bus travel during the training

• If the student can use public transport after training, they may get a travel pass for the rest of the school year

• Travel pass eligibility is checked every year

How to Apply:

To ask about travel training, contact the Assisted Travel Team or visit the Council’s website:
www.wirral.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/funding-and-financial-support/free-travel-school

Some schools and colleges also offer travel training. You can contact them directly to find out more.

6 Travel Help for Apprentices and Trainees

If you're doing a paid apprenticeship or any other paid training, you cannot apply for a bursary.

However, if you're on a traineeship, which is unpaid, you might be eligible for financial support.

To find out more, visit the GOV.UK website:
www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund

7 How to Get Help With Travel

If you have questions or need help with travel support, contact the Assisted Travel Team:

• Email: CYPD_transport4children@wirral.gov.uk

• Phone: 0151 666 4212

They can help with:

• Applications

• Travel training

• Personal transport budgets

• General advice about travel support

8 How to Apply for Travel Help

You can apply for travel help from April onwards. It’s best to apply as early as possible.

If You Need a Travel Pass:

• Apply before 31 July to get your pass in time for the new school term in September

• It can take up to 20 working days to process your application and arrange travel

If you apply in August or September, your travel may not be ready for the start of term. You might need to make your own travel plans until everything is sorted.

What Happens After You Apply:

• The Assisted Travel Team will contact you and your family to learn more about your needs

• They will decide what kind of travel help is best for you

10 If you’re unhappy with our service

We aim to give you the best service we can. If you’re not happy, you can make a complaint.

How to complain

You can contact Wirral Council in these ways:

• Online: Visit the Council’s website

• Phone: Call the Information and Advice Team on 0151 606 2000

• Post: Write to
  Information and Advice Team
  Wirral Council
  PO Box No 2
  Birkenhead

What happens next

We’ll look into your complaint using our formal complaints process.

If you’re still not happy after we’ve investigated, you can contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. This is an independent organisation that looks into complaints about councils.

You can find more details on the Council’s website:
www.wirral.gov.uk/about-council/complaints-compliments-and-feedback.

9 What to Do If Your Travel Help Is Refused

If you or your parent/carer disagree with a decision not to provide travel support, you can appeal through Wirral Council’s two-stage process:

Stage One: Review by Council Officers

• A panel of senior staff from the Assisted Travel Team will look at your case again

• They will review the decision and any new information you provide

Stage Two: Independent Appeal Panel

• If you’re still unhappy after Stage One, you can ask for a second review

• This panel includes independent members

• You can send written information and/or speak to the panel in person

This process follows national guidance and aims to make sure all decisions are fair.

Appendix 1: Travel help from schools and colleges (September 2026)

This section shows the travel support offered by schools and colleges in Wirral. Please note:

• Information may change

• Prices may vary

• Contact the school or college directly for the latest details

School or College

Contact Details

Birkenhead High School Academy

Email: bhsa@birkhs.gdst.net
Tel: 0151 652 5777
Web: www.birkenheadhigh.gdst.net

Birkenhead Sixth Form College

Email: email@bsfc.ac.uk
Tel: 0151 652 5575
Web: www.bsfc.ac.uk

Calday Grange Grammar School

Email: theschool@calday.co.uk
Tel: 0151 625 2727
Web: www.caldaygrangegrammarschool.co.uk

West Kirby Grammar School

Email: office@wkgs.net
Tel: 0151 632 3449
Web: www.westkirby-grammar.wirral.sch.uk

Co-Op Academy Bebington

Email: schooloffice.bebington@coopacademies.co.uk
Tel: 0151 645 4154
Web: bebington.coopacademies.co.uk

St Anselm’s College

Email: reception@st-anselms.com
Tel: 0151 652 1408
Web: www.st-anselms.com

St John Plessington Catholic College

Email: schooloffice@stjohnplessington.com
Tel: 0151 645 5049
Web: www.stjohnplessington.com

St Mary’s Catholic College

Email: schooloffice@stmaryswallasey.com
Tel: 0151 639 7531
Web: www.stmaryswallasey.com

South Wirral High School

Email: schooloffice@southwirral.wirral.sch.uk
Tel: 0151 327 3213
Web: www.southwirral.wirral.sch.uk

Wirral Grammar School for Boys

Email: schooloffice@wirralgrammarboys.com
Tel: 0151 644 0908
Web: www.wirralgrammarboys.com

Wirral Grammar School for Girls

Email: schooloffice@wirralgirls.co.uk
Tel: 0151 644 8282
Web: www.wirralgirls.co.uk

The Mosslands School

Email: admin@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk
Tel: 0151 638 8131
Web: www.mosslands.co.uk

Weatherhead High School

Email: schooloffice@weatherhead.wirral.sch.uk
Tel: 0151 631 4400
Web: www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk

Wirral Met College (12 Quays Campus)

Tel: 0151 551 7777
Web: www.wmc.ac.uk