Liverpool City Region's free travel pass transforms lives of care leavers

THE Liverpool City Region's transformational free travel for care leavers scheme is off to a flying start; with a huge take up in the 1st 3 months.

With over 40,000 journeys made since it was launched by the Region's Mayor Steve Rotheram, in March, the initiative is providing essential support, helping care leavers aged:- 18 to 21 navigate their new lives with greater confidence and freedom.

For young people leaving the care system, the transition to independent adulthood can present significant challenges, often including:- unexpected financial hurdles.

In the Liverpool City Region, the free travel pass removes a significant barrier to vital opportunities, giving young care leavers the freedom to get about on their own terms; without having to worry about the cost or how they'll be judged

Mayor Rotheram introduced the scheme in March with a clear aim:- to make sure no young person leaving care is held back simply because they can't afford to get the bus or the train.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, commented:- "When I pledged to introduce our care leavers travel pass, it was because I believed it could make a real difference to young people navigating their transition into adulthood. We know that free, reliable travel can open up a world of opportunity; whether it's getting to college, attending a job interview, or simply enjoying the everyday freedoms that many of us take for granted. This pass gives care leavers the independence to explore every part of our City Region; and build a happy, successful future for themselves. I'm incredibly proud that we're standing by our young people and supporting them as they take those next important steps."

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:- "It's been fantastic to see how much the travel passes have been used already and hear directly from the care leavers about the positive effect it is having on their lives. We want to be able to support our young people, and it speaks volumes of the Combined Authority and the six districts, that we have been able to work together and support young people, helping them find easier access to jobs and education through accessible transport. But it's not just about that, we also want them to go out and have fun without worrying about how they'll get around. And we can offer them that."

Since the launch, more than 1,200 passes have been issued to the 1,500 eligible care leavers and almost 800 young people have gone on to register and use their pass.

Most of the journeys are directly linked to employment, training or support services, demonstrating the scheme's vital role in supporting successful transitions into adulthood. The young people have reported improved confidence, reduced isolation, and enhanced wellbeing.

The scheme was designed with care leavers and local authority support teams, together with transport operators.

Here's what some of the young people benefiting from the scheme have to say:

Kira Smith said:- "I'm made up to have been given a travel pass. This will save me a load of money and help me get out of the house which is something I have been struggling to do. It's also going to be a real big support to get me to College "

Tyler Priestley said:- "I think the travel passes are amazing, they have given me freedom to go more places and look at jobs in different areas. I also feel safe when I go anywhere as I know I can always get back home. As I am not working at the minute and have to get to lots of appointments it has helped me get to my GP, universal credit appointments and therapy sessions without worrying about the cost"

While the pass is already making a real difference for young people, it's also helping our wider community. By choosing buses, trains and ferries over cars or taxis, these journeys are saving carbon, building greener habits, and bringing people closer to the services; and each other; right across the Region.

With early results so promising, the Combined Authority and its partners are working to grow the scheme, encouraging more sign ups through Personal Advisors, making sure travel is easy and consistent no matter where in the Region you live, and looking at how we can wrap in extra support like help with digital access too.

People urged to have their say over revised non-residential adult social care charging policy

THERE'S just a month left for people to have their say over a proposed revised charging policy for non-residential adult social care in Liverpool.

It is the 1st time in at least 3 years that changes have been proposed, and the costs currently charged to people are not in line with the actual cost of their care.

Adult social care is 1 of the biggest areas of spend for the Council, with a budget of £242 million in the 2024/25 financial year, and there is growing demand in Liverpool, in line with national trends.

Charging for the services provided ensures that care and support can be sustainable funded, allowing the Council to continue delivering high-quality services to residents.

By asking those who can afford to contribute to the actual cost of their care, the Council can direct resources more effectively, ensuring that limited public funds are used where they are most needed. This approach helps to maintain a fair and equitable system, where individuals only pay what they can afford while also supporting the financial sustainability of the care services available to everyone who needs them.

The charges are subject to a financial assessment, which is carried out in accordance with regulations that are set nationally, and this means that people with care and support needs will not be asked to pay more than they can afford to.

Those that do contribute to the cost of their care are protected by a Minimum Income Guarantee, which varies depending upon age and circumstances, but in the case of a single pensioner is £272.70 per week. The Council also disregards an additional 10% of income over and above the Minimum Income Guarantee.

The proposals are:-

Introducing a set up charge and annual arrangement fee for anyone with savings or capital above the threshold of £23,250 who has to pay for the full cost of meeting their own care or support. It is proposed to introduce a set up charge of £200 and annual arrangement fee of £150.

Charging on the basis of the actual cost to the Council for arranging care and support.

Charging a person for their care based on the number of carers they have. Currently, the contribution is based on one carer, regardless of the actual number of carers required at any one time to provide care and support.

Charging a person for the cost of storage of personal items and boarding pets where the Council arranges this for them under its statutory duties.

The proposals are for non-residential care services and do not relate to what the Council currently charges for residential care home or nursing care home placements.

How to have your say... An online consultation form and booking form to attend in-person or virtual consultation events can be found online at:- Liverpool.Gov.UK. If you are in receipt of non-residential adult social care, please return the consultation sent to you in the post. The consultation is open until:- Sunday, 17 August 2025.

Councillor Angela Coleman, Cabinet Member for adult social care, said:- "We have not reviewed our charging policy for at least 3 years and as a result we have not kept pace with other local authorities. Regularly reviewing our policies is important, and is good practice. Adult social care is by far our biggest area of spending and accounts for a large proportion of our overall budget, so it is absolutely vital that we make sure our policies help us deliver a service that is sustainable at a time when we have a growing older population. Although some people with more complex needs may be affected by more than one of the proposals, nobody will be asked to pay more than they can afford to pay towards their care and support, and they will be protected by the nationally set minimum income guarantee. However, despite these protections, the Council recognises that these changes could have a significant impact on a number of individuals in receipt of care and support and, as part of the consultation, we will be having detailed discussions with individuals in receipt of care and support, and their families and carers, to understand more about the potential impacts. I would urge people who receive care, and their families, to take part in the consultation, and have their say. We will take into account the feedback we receive before making a final decision later this year."

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