TAGS IAG

No major changes this week to EHCP law or Liverpool's core post-16 SEND transport policy, but several practical updates as colleges start the 2026/27 year.

Hugh Baird — waiting lists have expanded

Hugh Baird is still accepting September applications, but its application page now shows a noticeably broader range of courses on waiting lists. These include Art & Design Levels 2 and 3, Beauty Therapy Level 3, Bricklaying Level 1, Business Level 3, and Carpentry & Joinery Levels 2 and 3, plus several Connect pathways including Building Services, Carpentry & Joinery, and Health & Social Care.

For EHCP learners, the college continues to ask families to liaise with their local-authority SEN caseworker and have the plan sent to its EHCP team as a matter of urgency. It also stresses that applying is not the same as enrolling, and that places are not guaranteed.

Why it matters: the pressure is no longer confined to a few popular vocational areas. Entry and foundation-style pathways are affected too, which is particularly relevant for special-school leavers.

Action: check every Hugh Baird destination for actual enrolment status, rather than relying on an offer or an application.

Knowsley Community College — term has started

KCC's 2026/27 autumn term began on Tuesday 1 September. Its published late-enrolment sessions finished on 27 August, and the college continues to stress that enrolment is the final step in securing a place.

Action: any student who still believes they are going to KCC but has not completed enrolment should contact the college directly, rather than turning up and expecting the original offer to stand.

Greenbank — vocational transition date confirmed

Greenbank's live events listing now confirms:

• 7 September — students return
• 12 November, 5–7pm — Foundation Transition Evening
• 26 November, 5–7pm — Open Evening
• 10 December, 4:30–6:30pm — Vocational Transition Evening

This resolves the earlier "date to be confirmed" position for the vocational event.

TAGS action: add 10 December to the autumn transition and open-events information.

Merseytravel — processing guidance has improved

Merseytravel's current Disabled Person's Travel Pass guidance now says it aims to process applications within four weeks. If further information or an assessment is needed it may take longer, and successful applicants should then allow up to 10 days for Royal Mail delivery. That is more favourable than the six-week processing warning previously circulated. The pass remains free to apply for.

Liverpool Citizen Portal — offline Thursday 3 September

Liverpool City Council has announced essential maintenance to its Citizen Portal on Thursday 3 September. Online services including school travel support, free school meals and admissions will be unavailable, with access expected to return on Friday 4 September.

Practical advice: families needing to submit travel-related applications should avoid leaving them until Thursday.

Bursary — claim window opens Monday 7 September

The updated DfE 2026/27 bursary guidance confirms that the first vulnerable-group bursary claim window opens on Monday 7 September and closes on 11 November 2026. Maintained special schools cannot submit these claims directly — their local authority submits on their behalf.

One useful clarification for SEND casework: institutions can provide temporary emergency meal or travel support in cases of severe hardship before completing the usual full household-income checks, provided this is later properly assessed and recorded. That could help where a learner starts college but a transport or bursary issue is unresolved.

For students aged 19+, an individual with an EHCP can qualify for a discretionary 16–19 bursary, though not the defined-vulnerable-group bursary solely on the basis of age or having an EHCP.

Supported internships — no new referral route yet

Liverpool continues to accept expressions of interest in supported internships for 16–24-year-olds with SEND, combining college enrolment, workplace placements and job-coach support.

No new public referral route has appeared this week for the previously identified non-EHCP pilot, so it should still not be advertised as generally available.

Greenbank is meanwhile recruiting a Supported Internship Employability Tutor, a role connected to its transition-to-work programme and Liverpool City Council-hosted internships, which suggests the provision remains active for 2026/27.