Cambridgeshire County Council Transport policy statement for learners aged 16-19 in further education 2014-2015 Contents
1. Summary of Policy Statement and Main Objectives
2. Eligibility for transport support
3. Raising the Participation Age
4. Details of fares, discounts and passes available for learners aged 16-19 years and who provides them, including college details
5. Use of travel passes and availability of concessionary fares
6. Transport arrangements for students who reach the age of 19 whilst continuing on a course
7. Transport assistance for learners age 16 – 25 with Special Educational Needs, learning difficulties and/or disabilities including those over 19 years of age
8. Mobility / Independence training for learners who face difficulties with transport
9. Timetable for applying for transport support
10. What help is available to learners who travel to a course outside the LA area?
11. What help is available for learners who attend an education establishment beyond daily travelling distance?
12. Appeals
13. Complaints
14. Contact information
1. Summary of Policy Statement and Main Objectives
This policy statement provides information about the discretionary subsidised transport support that is available to facilitate the attendance of all students, resident in Cambridgeshire, aged 16-19 (or 25 where the student has Special Educational Needs, learning difficulties and/or disabilities) to access places of learning. It includes the transport arrangements made by Cambridgeshire County Council as well as information about those arrangements made by the individual further education (FE) colleges in Cambridgeshire, where known, and by various transport operators.
The LA levies a charge in respect of this transport as a contribution towards the full cost. These charges are reviewed and published annually.
The LA publishes a booklet entitled “ Post-16 Education Transport in Cambridgeshire – do you qualify for help?” during the summer term before students are due to enter post-16 studies. This booklet explains the operation of the policy to students and parents and is available, upon request, in paper form, or can be downloaded from the County Council website.
The LA has determined that there are certain circumstances in which it will provide assistance with transport free of charge. These are set out in detail later in this document. (section 4)
Subsidised transport is available to students on existing local bus services or home to school/college services contracted by the local authority.
Transport support will be provided for standard academic terms only and the start and end of a standard college/sixth form day. Access to courses outside of these times will have to be discussed directly with the establishments attended.
Transport support is based on a student travelling to the main college/sixth form site. Transport to any satellite sites is the responsibility of the college or sixth form concerned and students/parents should contact the college/sixth form direct to discuss access arrangements. 2. Eligibility for transport support
The LA provides assistance with transport, usually in the form of passes for use on contract, or public services.
To be eligible for subsidised transport, the student must be:
(a) lives within the area where Cambridgeshire is the Local Authority; and
(b) is enrolled on a full-time course (i.e. a minimum 15 taught hours per week) at their nearest appropriate post-16 centre either in a school or college of further education; and
(c) is over compulsory school age but under 19, or are on a course of further education which started before they reached the age of 19; and
(d) is resident at an address which is more than three miles from the nearest appropriate post-16 centre measured by the shortest available walking route; and
(f) is able to complete the single journey within 90 minutes travel time.
The definition of ‘nearest appropriate post-16 centre’ (NAC) is:
The school or college that: (i) regardless of county boundaries, is nearest to the student’s family home; and/or (ii) where appropriate, named by the LA for transport purposes as the school or college catchment for the student’s registered home address; and (iii) offers the main essentials of the course required by the student, both in terms of type and level with regard to higher education and/or career outcomes. If the NAC does not offer a particular subject, subject mix (for example at A Level) or a particular range of module options, it is unlikely that assistance with transport will be provided to a more distant centre unless the student is able to demonstrate specific career or higher education reasons for the choice of subjects.
To apply for assistance with transport, students are required to complete an application form, either online or on paper including as a minimum home address and course details.
3. Raising the Participation Age (RPA)
The Education and Skills Act (2008) requires that young period stay in education or training for a further year after the compulsory school leaving Age. From July 2015, this requirement will be extended until their 18 th birthday.
This does not necessarily mean that young people affected will be staying on at school or college, as a wide range of learning opportunities will be available to the young person affected as follows:
• Continue in full time education; • Following a full-time work based learning route (eg Apprenticeship); or • Undertake part-time education or training equal to one day a week if they work, are self-employed, or volunteer for at least 20 hours per week.
Transport assistance would usually only be available in relation to RPA where the student has elected to continue in full-time education, and only where they meet the eligibility requirements detailed in section 2.
4. Details of fares, discounts and passes available for learners aged 16– 19 and who provides them, including college details
Unless stated otherwise below, all transport applications should be made directly to Cambridgeshire County Council. All applicants must submit a passport size photograph with their initial application.
Bus travel
The charges shown below reflect the charges to be levied in 2014-2015..
The charge to the student for subsidised transport for a Goldrider bus pass, where Stagecoach is the only service operator will be £212. per term
For travel on bus routes contracted by Cambridgeshire County Council to colleges or to secondary schools with sixth form provision, and on commercial services not run by Stagecoach, the charge to the student will be £150 per term.
Certain passes are available direct from the bus operator at the same or lower cost than the subsidised rate charged by the Local Authority. In such circumstances students must purchase their pass direct from the operator and not via the Authority’s Social Education Transport Team (SETT) unless they qualify for free transport, as described below.
Full and up-to-date details regarding charges are available from the Authority’s Social & Education Transport Team (SETT) or via the Council Council webpages. Contact details and weblink information can be found in Section 12 of this document.
Spare seats can be purchased by students, who are not entitled to transport assistance under the terms of this policy, on existing contract services. These can only be purchased on a termly, first come, first served basis. The charge to the student for a spare seat for the academic year will be £150 per term.
Free Transport
Free transport is available for students who meet the above criteria and are also in receipt of (or whose parents are in receipt of) one of the following benefits:
• Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance • Income Related Employment and Support Allowance • Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 • Guarantee element of State Pension Credit or • NHS Tax Credit Exemption Certificate.
When applying for Free Transport, where the student is not already in receipt of Free School Meals, supporting documentation will be required to confirm receipt of a qualifying benefit, listed above.
Looked After Children
Looked after Children are eligible for free transport if you are attending your nearest appropriate post-16 centre. Proof of status will be required in the form of a letter on headed paper from your social worker.
Visually Impaired Students
Students with a visual impairment are entitled to free travel on public buses. Where public transport is not available the LA may provide free transport if a student is attending their nearest appropriate post-16 centre.
Rail travel
First Capital Connect and Greater Anglia are able to offer students a discounted season ticket for travel to their school or college.
A 50% discount is available for travel on selected routes for students attending a Cambridgeshire post-16 centre. Students need to be under 19 years of age and in full-time education to take advantage of this discount.
The discount entitles the card holder to purchase reduced rate season tickets for journeys on First Capital Connect and Greater Anglia in the specified area Term and conditions apply to this ticket. Please see the operators website for more information www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/cambridgeschools
Application for this discount is made by registering online for a Student Connect Railcard at www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk and then purchasing the ticket online.
This is a discount First Capital Connect are offering independently of the Local Authority, if you have any questions please contact them directly.
Please note for students attending their NAC and where they qualify for free transport where travel via rail is the most cost effective option, the LA will purchase their pass on their behalf. Full information about this option is available from the Social & Education Transport Team (SETT) or via the Council Council webpages.
Cycling
A cycle allowance is available to students who are entitled to subsidised transport but choose not to receive a bus pass but to cycle instead. This is £40 per term, payable in arrears and claimed on a termly basis . Retrospective payment can only be considered for the current academic year.
Claim forms are available from the schools/colleges or from the County Council’s webpages.
For travel to all Post 16 Centres students should apply through the Local Authority, unless they will be attending Cambridge Regional College or Huntingdon Regional College.
Cambridge Regional College
The College runs its own bus service on a number of routes across Cambridgeshire and extending into Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.
Students wishing to travel on one of the buses organised by the College will need to make their application directly to the College, unless they are applying for free transport, and who meet the eligibility criteria described above. In these circumstances they should make their application to the LA following the LA application process.
The college also offers subsidised rail travel from selected stations (including neighbouring counties) to Cambridge depending on age and rail operator.
Huntingdon Regional College (HRC)
All Applications for transport to HRC should be made directly to the college.
5. Use of travel passes and availability of concessionary fares
The majority of students travel by service bus. If a Stagecoach bus pass is issued, it can be used 7 days a week until the expiry date on the pass. In the case of contracted services, either provided by the LA or College, each route is served by one vehicle travelling to and from school/college at the start and end of each school day, term time only.
Rail passes can be used at any time, 7 days a week, during the academic year only.
6. Transport arrangements for learners who reach 19 whilst continuing on a course.
Students who have begun a particular course of education,or training, at a school, or college, before they reach the age of 19 will continue to be eligible to receive support in accordance with the terms of this policy until they reach the end of that course.
7. Transport assistance for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities including those over 19 years of age
Post-16 students will be expected to walk or use public transport to their educational provision unless they have a have a medical need, special educational need or disability which prevents them accessing public transport or walking.
Post -16 students with SEN should be transported to school/college in a manner that assists their readiness to engage in learning on their arrival at school/college and ensures their comfort and safety. Students with SEN should be treated in the same way as those without i.e. in general they should develop independent travel skills and they should walk to school/college or travel on public transport.
All post-16 students may be eligible for subsidised transport to their nearest appropriate centre if they meet the general post-16 transport criteria (see Section 2). This does not relate to eligibility for SEN Transport.
If a student's needs meet the criteria for Post 16 SEN Transport the Authority will, in the first instance, explore whether a parent or carer will provide transport and be remunerated for their fuel costs if the student is eligible. All claims for assistance need to be agreed in writing before transport commences and payment can be made. Where there is no parent/carer/family member who can transport the student, the Authority will make appropriate arrangements.
Post-16 students must be enrolled on a full-time course either in a school (mainstream or special) or college of further education. This must be the nearest appropriate centre to their home offering an appropriate course for that student.
If a student believes they may be eligible for Post 16 SEN Transport they should contact the Statutory Assessment & Resources Team (START) in the first instance on 01480 372600 for more details. If an application for Post 16 SEN Transport is made responsibility for gathering the appropriate evidence to support requests rests with the individual student.
8. Mobility/independence training for learners who face difficulties with transport
The LA has an expectation that Post 16 Providers will support mobility and independent travel training where required.
9. Timetable for applying for transport support
Applications for the 2014-2015 academic year can be made online through the County Council website from June 2014. Paper applications are available upon request.
All transport applications will be determined on the individual circumstances including the course applied for, distance from home address to the post-16 centre and the availability of a route,
Applications are normally processed within 10 working days. However, to ensure your transport/bus pass is available for the beginning of the new academic year, please ensure that your complete application is submitted to the LA by 31 July 2014.
10. What help is available for learners who travel to a course outside the LA area?
Students living in Cambridgeshire are entitled to assistance to their ‘nearest appropriate centre’ regardless of county boundaries, providing they meet the criteria stated in section 1
11. What help is available for learners who attend an education establishment beyond the daily travelling distance?
The provision of transport support and the frequency of return journeys between home and the establishments will be negotiated between the LA and the school concerned in the following circumstances:
Where the Local Authority (LA) has agreed to fund the placement of post-16 students with special educational needs at specialist establishments outside the further education sector; or Where post-16 students, exceptionally, are placed by the LA at a school/college outside the LA boundary, for example to make provision for particular special educational needs not available at a local maintained post-16 provider.
Where a student’s choice of school/college does not meet the circumstances described above, further assistance by be available via a Residential Bursary Fund available from some specialist colleges. Please apply to the school/college direct for further information.
12. Appeals
You are entitled to challenge the decision of the Local Authority to refuse to provide assistance with transport for your child to school. You can challenge a decision about:-
• Your child’s eligibility; • The distance measurement; and/or • The safety of the route
Please note: There is no right of challenge where the Executive Director of Children, Families and Adult Services has withdrawn a child’s pass either temporarily, or permanently, on the grounds of unacceptable behaviour.
The process is made up of two stages as follows:-
Stage One – Review of decision
• You have 20 working days from receipt of the local authority’s home to school transport decision to make a written request asking for a review of the decision; • You must make this request by completing the School Transport Review form below; • Your written request should detail why you believe the decision should be reviewed and give details of any personal and/or family circumstances you believe should be considered when the decision is reviewed; • Within 20 working days of receipt of your written request a senior officer will review the original decision and will send you a letter detailing the outcome of the review, which will set out the following information:- o The nature of the decision reached; o How the review was conducted; o Information about other departments and/or agencies consulted as part of the process; o What factors were considered; o The rationale for the decision reached; o Information about escalation to Stage Two, if appropriate.
Stage Two – Appeal
• You have 20 working days from receipt of the local authority’s decision following a review of the original decision to make a written request to escalate the matter to appeal; • You must make this request by completing the School Transport Appeal Form below; • Within 40 working days a Service Appeals Committee, made up of three members of the County Council, will be convened to consider your application. You will be invited to attend this hearing to present your case. • You will receive a letter detailing the outcome of the appeal hearing, which will set out the following information:- o The nature of the decision reached; o How the review was conducted; o Information about other departments and/or agencies that were consulted as part of the process; o What factors were considered; o The rationale for the decision reached; and o Information about escalation to the Local Government Ombudsman
Full information about the appeals process can be found in Appeals Information Leaflet
13. Complaints
Students and parents/carers who, having followed the above review and appeal process remain dissatisfied with the LA’s decision may refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman. The Ombudsman will not usually consider cases unless they have been through the full review and appeal process.
Further information about how to make a complaint to the Ombudsman can be found on their webpage http://www.lgo.org.uk/ , or by writing to them at;
The Local Government Ombudsman
PO Box 4771 Coventry
CV4 0EH
Or by telephone to: 0300 061 0614 14. Contact information
E-mail: [email protected] (eligibility queries) [email protected] (transport queries) or telephone 0345 045 5208 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm)
Sixth Form and Further Education Colleges in Cambridgeshire
Institution Contact Cambridge Regional College Telephone: 01223 418200 College website – www.camre.ac.uk Huntingdonshire Regional College Telephone: 01480 379106 College website - www.huntingdon.ac.uk Peterborough Regional College Telephone: 0845 872 8722 College website - www.peterborough.ac.uk College of West Anglia Isle Campus Telephone: 01945 582561 Kings Lynn Campus Telephone: 01553 761144 Cambridge Campus Telephone: 01223 860701 College website www.col- westanglia.ac.uk Long Road Sixth Form College Telephone: 01223 507400 College website www.longroad.ac.uk
Hills Road Sixth Form College Telephone: 01223 247251 College website www.hrsfc.ac.uk
Schools/Academies/ University Technical Colleges with sixth forms in Cambridgeshire
Institution Contact Tel: 01487 812352 Abbey College Web: www.abbeycollege.cambs.sch.uk Tel: 01223 265470 Comberton Village College Web: www.combertonsixthform.org Tel: 01954 288944 Cottenham Village College Web: www.cvcweb.net Tel: 01354 692193 Cromwell Community College Web: www.cromwellcc.org.uk Tel: 01353 652818 Ely Sixth Form Centre Web: www.elycollege.com Tel: 01480 374748 Ernulf Academy Web: www.ernulf.cambs.sch.uk Tel: 01480 375700 Hinchingbrooke School Web: www.hinchingbrookeschool.net Tel: 01223 200402 Impington Village College Web: www.impington.cambs.sch.uk Tel: 01480 353535 Longsands Academy Web: www.longsands.cambs.sch.uk Tel: 01354 606000 Neale Wade Community College Web: www.neale-wade.org Tel: 01223 242931 The Netherhall School Web: www.netherhall.org Tel: 01223 310118 Parkside Community College Web: www.parksidesixth.org.uk Tel: 01487 830701 Sawtry Community College Web: www.sawtrycc.com Sir Harry Smith Community Tel: 01733 703991 College Web: www.sirharrysmith.cambs.sch.uk Tel: 01480 375400 St Ivo School Web: www.stivoschool.org Tel: 01480 459581 St Peter’s School Web: www.stpeters.cambs.sch.uk Tel: 01223 969004 University Technical College Web: www.utccambridge.co.uk
Other useful contacts
Traveline East Anglia 0871 200 22 33 Web: www.travelineeastanglia.co.uk
National Rail Enquiries 08457 484 950 Web: www.nationalrail.co.uk
First Capital Connect 0845 026 4700 Web: www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk/cambridgeschools
Greater Anglia Web: www.greateranglia.co.uk
Go-Whippet 01954 230011 Web: www.go-whippet .co.uk/ Stagecoach 01223 433 275 Web: www.stagecoachbus.com/