Post-16 Education: Bursaries, Travel and Staying Put

When a young person in foster care turns 16, education, money and travel arrangements can change fast. The good news: there’s real, ring-fenced help—16–19 bursaries, local travel schemes, and Staying Put options after 18—so the move to sixth form, college, apprenticeships or university doesn’t have to mean financial stress or losing a stable home. This guide pulls everything into one place, with plain-English steps for carers and care-experienced young people.

What actually changes at 16?

England’s “participation” rules mean most young people continue in some form of education or training until 18 (school, college, apprenticeship, traineeship, or a mix like part-time study plus work). For those with a social worker, you’ll keep a Pathway Plan that sets your education, training and employment (EET) goals and the support you’ll get to achieve them. From 18, you’ll still have a Personal Adviser (PA)—and you can ask for that support up to age 25, even if you’re not in education or training.

Money you can apply for at 16–19

1) 16–19 Bursary Fund (England)

There are two strands, both handled by your school/college:

Vulnerable bursary (up to £1,200 a year): If you’re looked after, a care leaver, or you meet specific benefit/disability criteria, you can be assessed for up to £1,200 per academic year on longer programmes. Institutions decide the exact amount based on need, course length and hours. Payments can be in cash or “in-kind” (e.g., travel passes, equipment). Apply early—ideally before enrolment.

Discretionary bursary: If you don’t meet the “vulnerable” criteria but you’ll struggle with costs (travel, lunches, kit, books, trips), colleges can award support from their discretionary pot. You’ll usually need evidence of household income/benefits and a simple budget (what you need, why, and when).

Evidence you’ll need: photo ID, proof you’re in care/a care leaver (letter from your social worker or Virtual School), bank details (for direct payments), and course details. Your institution will explain how they pay and what attendance/behaviour rules apply.

2) “Care to Learn” (young parents under 20)

If you’re under 20 at the start of your course and you’re a parent, Care to Learn can pay registered childcare costs and even help with extra travel costs for taking your child to the provider. It won’t affect your benefits. Apply as soon as you accept a place.

3) Higher Education bursary (university)

Care leavers starting university can get a £2,000 Higher Education bursary from their local authority, on top of Student Finance and any university “care-experienced” scholarships. Ask your PA and the university’s widening participation/care-experienced team before you firm your offer, as many institutions also guarantee 365-day accommodation and additional grants.

Travel: getting to college, sixth form or training

Post-16 transport policies (local authority)

Every council publishes a Post-16 transport policy statement explaining support for 16–19s in education/training—things like subsidised buses, council travel passes, or how to apply for help if you live far from your provider or have SEND. Check your council’s annual statement (usually updated each year) and your college bursary page to see which route pays first (college bursary vs council scheme).

National Rail: big discounts at 16–17

The 16–17 Saver gives 50% off Standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Advance and Season tickets. It’s valid any time of day and is often the cheapest option until your 18th birthday; after that, switch to a 16–25 Railcard (1/3 off). If you commute by train to college or an apprenticeship, this can be a huge saving.

London: Oyster concessions and care-experienced discounts

In London, the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard gives free and discounted travel on TfL services for eligible 16–17s (and there are additional products for apprentices and students). There’s also an 18–25 Care Leaver Oyster photocard offering discounted travel—check TfL for eligibility and how to apply. Pair these with your college’s discretionary bursary for equipment and lunches.

College-funded travel

Some colleges run their own coach routes or issue bus/rail passes funded through the 16–19 bursary. Ask the bursary team what they cover first so you don’t pay out-of-pocket and then claim later.

Staying Put (and the UK-wide equivalents)

What is “Staying Put” in England?

At 18, a young person can stay living with their foster carer in a “Staying Put” arrangement, usually up to age 21 (longer in some circumstances). It’s not fostering; it’s a post-18 arrangement with a written agreement about payments, responsibilities, and support so the young person can continue education/training or move into work without losing their home.

Your rights to ongoing support

Regardless of whether you use Staying Put, the Children and Social Work Act 2017 extended Personal Adviser support to age 25 if the care leaver requests it—so you can ask for help with housing, money, education, and employment planning up to your 25th birthday. Keep your PA updated when courses or jobs change.

Wales: “When I am Ready”

Wales runs When I am Ready (WIR), allowing care-experienced young people to remain with their foster carers post-18 with tailored support. Ask your local authority for the WIR policy and payment framework if you live in Wales or plan to study there.

Scotland: Continuing Care (plus Aftercare to 26)

Scotland’s Continuing Care gives care-experienced young people the chance to remain in their placement typically to age 21, with Aftercare available to age 26. Universities and colleges in Scotland also run strong care-experienced packages—check widening participation teams early.

Northern Ireland: Going the Extra Mile (GEM)

Northern Ireland’s GEM scheme lets young people stay with their carers up to 21 (and beyond in some cases) if they’re in education, employment or training, with plans to put GEM on a statutory footing. Ask your Trust about current criteria.

How foster carers can help (paperwork & timing)

Before GCSE results day

• Photo ID & bank account: Make sure the young person has suitable ID and a bank account ready for bursary payments.
• Gather letters: Request a “looked-after/care leaver” confirmation letter (social worker/Virtual School) to unlock the vulnerable bursary swiftly at enrolment.
• Plan the commute: Price up rail/bus options, check the 16–17 Saver and local bus/coach passes, and decide whether college or council will fund the ticket.

At enrolment/induction

• Apply for the bursary on day one: Colleges often run drop-ins—bring evidence, bank details and your course timetable.
• Ask about in-kind support: Travel passes, kit and meals can be issued directly so the student isn’t out-of-pocket.

Through the year

• Attendance matters: Missing classes can pause payments; talk to the bursary team early if there are health, caring or transport issues.
• Placement or address changes: Update the college, PA and transport provider immediately so passes and payments continue.

Local quick-wins: Kent and Hounslow examples

If you live in Kent

• Post-16 statement: Search “Kent County Council Post-16 transport statement” each spring/summer to check updated rules, application dates and any SEND travel provisions. Then read your college’s bursary page to see how funding interacts.
• Rail: If you commute into Medway, Canterbury, Dartford or Tonbridge, compare a 16–17 Saver Season Ticket with any college rail partnerships.
• Bursary timing: Submit your vulnerable or discretionary bursary form as soon as you receive your course offer; some colleges release passes before term starts.

If you live in Hounslow (West London)

• TfL concessions: Apply for the 16+ Zip Oyster photocard and check if you also qualify for the 18–25 Care Leaver Oyster later. Many West London colleges integrate these with their own bursary offers.
• Mixed travel: If your course involves National Rail (e.g., Hounslow ↔ Surrey), hold a 16–17 Saver and a Zip photocard and use whichever is cheaper for each leg.
• University next? If you’re care-experienced and heading for HE, line up the £2,000 LA HE bursary and ask your chosen university about year-round halls and extra grants for care-experienced students.

Staying Put: money and expectations for carers

A Staying Put agreement sets out who pays what (the local authority contribution, the young person’s contribution if they’re working, and any impact on tax/benefits), plus responsibilities (house rules, study space, how to handle holidays or term-time placements). Your supervising social worker and the PA should walk you through the finances before the young person’s 18th birthday, and review annually.

Tip: If the young person is away at university, ask how the arrangement works during the long vacations—some areas pay a retainer so they can come “home” in summer and at Christmas. (Policies vary by authority—get it in writing.)

Frequently asked questions

Is the vulnerable bursary always £1,200?
It’s up to £1,200 for long programmes; institutions assess need and can pay in cash or in-kind. Shorter courses/hours may receive proportionally less.

Can I get help with childcare while I study?
If you’re under 20 at course start and a parent, Care to Learn can fund registered childcare and related travel so you can attend lessons.

Who funds my bus/train to college?
It depends. Start with your council’s Post-16 transport policy, then check your college bursary—use the route that offers the best subsidy and applies fastest. In London, stack Zip Oyster concessions; on rail nationwide, consider the 16–17 Saver.

How long can I stay with my foster carer after 18?
In England, Staying Put typically runs to age 21 (sometimes longer). You can also request PA support to 25. Wales has When I am Ready; Scotland has Continuing Care (with Aftercare to 26); Northern Ireland uses GEM, usually up to 21 for those in EET.