My child is over 16 years of age

If a young person aged 16 to 25, with an Education, Health and Care Plan, is attending a full-time educational course at the nearest suitable provision, transport assistance may be provided.

If the young person is aged 16 to 19, the  post-16 application form (PDF) [402KB] (opens new window)  must be completed, or if the young person is aged 19 to 25, the post-19 application form must be completed, to determine whether a young person qualifies for assistance with transport.

All completed applications must be returned to:

St Helens Borough Council
School Transport Team
Atlas House
Corporation Street
St Helens
WA9 1LD

or alternatively you can email your completed application form to schooltransport@sthelens.gov.uk.

All completed applications are processed within 10 school days. If a young person is able to travel independently, a concessionary bus pass will be issued. If travelling in Merseyside, a Solo pass will be issued; if travelling outside the area, an Arriva Travel Pass will be issued.

For details of bus timetables, visit the Merseytravel website.

If a young person is unable to travel independently, they will be offered suitable travel assistance.

Our School Transport Team organises and arranges a number of vehicles that travel to Carmel College, St Helens College and Activate. All the vehicles have suitably trained passenger assistants who travel on them, ensuring the safety of the students.

If you need further information, you can contact the School Transport Team on (01744) 671033.

If your child is travelling on one of the local authority's hired services and you need to amend any of the travel arrangements, you need to contact the School Transport Team. During office hours you can contact the team on the normal office numbers of 01744 671033; out of hours messages can be left on 07766 087222.

Renewal applications

Applications will be sent out during the summer term for the new academic year.

Refused applications

If you are refused assistance with transport under the SEN Post-16 Transport Policy, the local authority have a two-stage appeal process.

Once you have received written notification that your child is not eligible for assistance with transport, you will have 20 working days to submit a written request to have your application reviewed by the service manager. Your review will be heard within 20 working days. A written response will be sent notifying you of the outcome.

If the original decision is upheld and assistance is not granted, you will be notified of your right to go to the Stage 2 - Appeals process, whereby your application along with the review decision and any supplementary information will be considered by the Independent Transport Panel.

You will have 20 working days from receipt of the review decision to make a written request. Once the request is received, the panel will meet within 40 days to consider the information. You will then be notified in writing the outcome of the panel.

Stage One Review (Word doc) [50KB] (opens new window)

Stage Two Appeal (Word doc) [46KB] (opens new window)

If your child loses their bus pass, a replacement bus pass can be purchased from the School Transport Team. The cost of the bus pass depends on whether your child has been issued with a Solo pass or an Arriva pass.

If you need a replacement bus pass, contact the School Transport Team on (01744) 671033.

For more information on transport support for post-16 students, see the annual  Post-16 Transport Statement (PDF) [623KB] (opens new window) .