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Free sexual health screenings/support, including;  Asymptomatic sexual health screens, BBV
testing, Oral and injectable contraception, Implant insertions and removals, Emergency
contraception, Condom provision.
These clinics are not drop in, young people must book an appointment and can do this online or by phone 0141 211 8130

*See poster attached for more details*

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Sandyford clinics for young people- update

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All information on this page is correct as of 12/12/2022

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All information on this page is correct as of 12/12/2022

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Head to the below link for more information about the free bus travel for Under 22's.
Applications will open from the 10th January - all young people with a Young Scot card will require to apply for a new one to enable free bus travel from the 31st January.
Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme (transport.gov.scot)

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Getting your card

Who can get free bus travel?

Every 5-21 year old living in Scotland for more than 6 months of the year can travel for free by bus if they have a valid National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC).

If you are 5-15 years old, your parent or guardian must apply for you. If you are 16-21 years old, you must apply for your own NEC or Young Scot NEC.

Children under 5 years old do not need an NEC as they can already travel for free on buses.

How do I get free bus travel?

You will need a NEC or a Young Scot NEC. You will not be able to travel for free on the bus without one. If you already have a card, you will need to apply for a replacement which will allow free bus travel.

What will I need to get a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC?

You will need to provide proof of person (your name and age), proof of residence (where you usually live) and a photograph if you are 11 years old or over.

Parents, guardians or (in some cases) carers will need to provide proofs of person and address for both themselves and their child, as well as proof of the relationship.

From Monday 24 January, the acceptable 'proofs' you can provide for the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme whether applying online or through offline application routes allow:

'out of date' passports to be regarded as acceptable proof documents. The key criterion will be the physical likeness of the photo, with no timeframe restriction being applied to a passport expiry date

a suitable proof of residency type document with either current date or dated within the last 12 months will be accepted.

Find out what documents you can use to provide proof on the NEC website. If you are aged 5-15 years old, your parent/guardian/carer must apply for your NEC on your behalf. If you are aged 16-21 years old, you must apply by yourself.

Why do I need to provide proofs to apply for free bus travel?

We need to be able to check and verify who you are and whether you are eligible for the scheme, so we ask for proof of person (your name and age) and proof of residence (where you live).

For children aged 5-15 years old, we also need to carry out some extra checks for child safety reasons. We need to be able to verify who the person making the application is, the child is, and know that they are authorised to act on behalf of that child.

When doing this, we need to make sure we comply with identity verification standards and protocols, and with standards required by the UK National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS). Young Scot NECs carry the PASS logo and can be used as proof of age.

I live in Scotland for part of the year. Can I still get free bus travel?

If you live in Scotland for most of the year (at least 6 months), then you are eligible.

I already have a disabled National Entitlement Card (NEC) for the Older and Disabled Scheme. Will I need a new card?

It is your choice. Some local council areas provide discounted travel on rail, tram or subway with a Disabled Persons' NEC, but you are likely to have to renew that card more often. Currently, a Disabled Persons' NEC is valid for up to three years. Further information can be found on our website.

However, if you have a Disabled Companion NEC, allowing a companion to travel for free with you, then you should not change to the new scheme. The new scheme does not allow anyone to travel with you for free.

My application's been rejected. Why?

You should be told why your application has been rejected and given advice on how to submit a successful application. Check to see that your details are all correct and your photo meets all the requirements. If that doesn't work, get in touch with your local council.

How long do I need to wait for my new National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC?

New or replacement cards generally arrive in the post within 10 working days from the date each application is approved. However, demand is expected to be high in January and delivery may take longer.

We know many young people will want to get free bus travel as the new scheme begins, and we will be working hard to process applications as quickly as possible. In some cases, it may not be possible to get a card to you before the free bus travel scheme launches.

If you have applied for a Young Scot NEC through your school, the school can provide more information on when your card will be delivered.

My details aren't right. What do I do?

Most cardholders can update their details at getyournec.scot or get in touch with your local council to have your details amended.

Why does my parent or guardian have to apply for a National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC on my behalf?

If you are 5-15 years old, then your parent or guardian must apply on your behalf. This will make sure they are aware that you get to travel for free by bus, so that they can ensure you are safe and well. If you are 16 years old and over, you must apply yourself.

I don't want to throw away my old National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC. Can it be recycled?

Yes it can. Check our website for more information.

Why do parents/guardians of 5 -15 year olds have to apply on their behalf?

If you are a parent or guardian of a 5-15 year old, then you must apply on their behalf. This will allow you to continue to exercise responsibility over their wellbeing and safety.

By applying on their behalf, you are agreeing for them to receive an NEC or Young Scot NEC that allows them to travel for free on any registered bus service in Scotland, as well as a limited number of local cross border services into northern England.

I am a parent, but my child doesn't live with me. Can I apply on their behalf?

Your child can only have one National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC. You should decide which parent or guardian applies on their behalf.

Young people who are 16-21 years old must apply themselves. If your 16-21 year old needs additional support with their application, please contact your local council.

I don't want my child to have free bus travel. How do I make sure that they don't get it?

You should not apply for the free bus travel scheme. Also, a parent or guardian must apply on behalf of 5-15 year olds. If you are applying on behalf of your child for a National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot NEC, do not 'opt in' to the free bus travel entitlement. This will allow them to receive their card without access to free bus travel.

Once a young person is 16 years old and over, they can apply for their own NEC or Young Scot NEC and get access to free bus travel.

My child will soon be five. How soon can I apply?

You can apply for a National Entitlement Card from two weeks before your child's fifth birthday.

Will my child's school be arranging to help apply for cards, including getting parental approval?

Your local council will let you know if they are offering to place bulk orders for National Entitlement Cards (NEC) or Young Scot NECs in your area. These come in three types:

a photoless NEC (primary school age)

an NEC or

a Young Scot NEC (secondary school age).

My child is 16 (or older) and needs help to apply. Can a parent or guardian, do this on their behalf?

You should contact your local council if you need additional support with the application process.

I don't read English. How do I apply for free bus travel for my child?

Please contact your local council to find out more and get support.

Should I get a Young Scot NEC or standard NEC?

If you are over 11 years old you can choose to apply for the Young Scot NEC or a standard NEC. If you choose a Young Scot NEC, you can use it to save money with in-person and online discounts - with over 500 discounts in Scotland and over 100,000 deals across Europe. It also acts as proof of age. What's more, you can collect points by taking part in activities and exchanging these for Rewards. Find out more at young.scot/card.

Is GETYOURNEC.SCOT new?

No, GETYOURNEC.SCOT has been available since July 2020. Thousands of people have already used it to apply for their NEC to access the Older and Disabled Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme or order a new or replacement Young Scot NEC. This has now been extended to enable people to apply online for the Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme.

Why do you use biometric scans during the online application process?

GETYOURNEC.SCOT checks proofs digitally during the application process. A face scan is used to make sure that the person submitting the application is the same person as on the identity proofs supplied. It's a way of replicating the in-person application process. Biometric scans are only used when applying online, not when making in-person applications.

Can I save progress on my online application as I go along?

Currently, it's not possible to save an online application as you go along. We are looking at how we can introduce this for online applications in future in a way that continues to keep the process safe and secure and complies with identity verification standards and protocols.

Can you make the application process simpler?

We continually review the application process to make it as straightforward as we can. However, we must also make sure that we meet child safety requirements, and comply with identity verification standards, protocols and PASS standards.

We have made video guides to GETYOURNEC.SCOT which take you through the online application process step-by-step.

You can also ask for help if you run into problems when applying through GETYOURNEC.SCOT.

I can't apply online, how do I get a card?

If you cannot apply online, there are other ways to apply provided by your local council, such as face-to-face, in-person applications or, in some cases, through schools. Please contact your local council for more information.

I don't have a passport or driving licence. How do I apply?

If you don't have proofs such as a passport or driving licence, you can apply directly to your local council.

There are other documents you can use as proof of person if you don't have a passport, driving licence, Yoti account or birth/adoption certificate. A full list of acceptable documents is on the NEC website.

Why do I need a new NEC/Young Scot NEC to get free bus travel?

Your new card will have the free travel entitlement digitally encoded.

All bus journeys made under the scheme must be recorded so that the Scottish Government can reimburse operators for the fare. Tapping your NEC or Young Scot NEC on the ticket machine each time you travel makes this possible.

This also helps keep card holders safe as once you've tapped, the driver knows that you are eligible for free bus travel. This is important if you are 5-15 years old as your parent, guardian or (in some cases) carer must approve you to travel for free by bus.

Will applications be prioritised based on who needs to make essential journeys?

All applications submitted will be processed and there is no prioritisation of one person's application over another.

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels, some local councils may not be able to always offer in-person applications and applications may take longer to process. Please contact your local council to find out how you can apply before setting off.

Using your card

How do I use my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC on the bus?

In most cases, you place your card on the card reader machine next to the bus driver. Ask the driver if you have any questions.

What do I do if my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC is not working?

For information on how to apply for a replacement card go to getyournec.scot. You will need to pay any fares until the replacement arrives.

How much will it cost to get a replacement card?

Replacements are free of charge.

My friend has lost their National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC. Can they use mine?

No. It is only for you and you should not share it with anybody else.

If your card has a photo, then please keep it up to date, as the bus driver might not let you travel if you do not look like your photo. The photo on your Young Scot NEC also needs to be kept up to date to use it to prove your age for age restricted products or services.

You can update the photo for free.

Can my access to free bus travel be stopped?

Yes, if you misuse the free bus travel scheme (such as letting someone else use your card), then you might have free bus travel removed from your card.

Can I load my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC on an app rather than carrying the card?

No, you must have your NEC or Young Scot NEC with you if you want to travel for free.

Where can I go under the free bus travel scheme?

You can travel Scotland wide on local and long distance bus services, apart from a few exceptions such as premium-fare night buses, city sightseeing buses, and some airport transfer services. Check with your bus operator if in doubt.

If you are travelling to England, you will be able to travel to Carlisle or Berwick-Upon-Tweed, but it cannot be used to travel within these towns.

Does my National Entitlement Card (NEC) allow me discounts or free travel on rail, tram, subway or ferry?

The free travel scheme is for bus only. However, there may be other discounts available.
More information on concessionary travel
Do children need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to access free bus travel?

No. However, if you are in any doubt check with the bus operator before travelling. All bus operators have conditions of carriage which set out who can travel on their services and they may require younger children to be accompanied.

What are the terms and conditions for my National Entitlement Card (NEC)/Young Scot NEC?

You must ensure that your card is in good condition and presented to the bus ticket machine or other transport ticketing equipment in good working order (e.g. it's not damaged).
Full terms and conditions
Staying safe

What measures are being taken to support children to travel safely?

We are undertaking an awareness campaign with partners to support children, young people, parents and guardians, and bus operators.

We have been working closely with Barnardo's Scotland on how to safeguard young people travelling on the bus network, including providing training material for bus drivers. This will help drivers to recognise and respond to children or young people who need support while travelling on the bus network and help ensure that they can travel safely.
More information on staying safe

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Young Persons’ Free Bus Travel Scheme | Transport Scotland

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Remember, you can login to see the progress of your application.

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Use this link to place an online order: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Z7RZLRY

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Click here to find out about the West Dunbartonshire's Youth Empowerment Project and how you can make your voice heard on important issues in our community.

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Click here to submit your details

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Do you need help with money? Confidentially text or WhatsApp 07800 005227 for support and advice.

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Click Here to find out more about digital youth work, staying safe online and opportunities for young people to learn digital skills.

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Head over to the WDC website for more info on the employability/work support offered by the W4U team.

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Please note that our normal face to face services are currently suspended due to Covid restrictions and social distancing requirements. However, Working4U have launched a Virtual Employability Hub to continue supporting residents.

If you wish to chat to a member of our team, or are an organisation looking to refer someone to Working4U, you can do so by completing the form below.

You can drop into our Virtual Employability Hub

You can also call us on 01389 (738296)

If you wish a supply of publicity materials, please contact us.

What happens next?

A member of the team will get in touch with you. They will:

Talk to you about what it is you are looking for.

Listen to you about what it is you are looking for.

Give you information about a range of services which may help.

Provide practical assistance and support to ensure you get what you need.

Tell us what you think

If you have used any of our services, please take a few minutes to tell us what you think by completing our short customer satisfaction survey.

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Please note that our normal face to face services are currently suspended due to Covid restrictions and social distancing requirements. However, Working4U have launched a Virtual Employability Hub to continue supporting residents. If you wish to chat to a member of our team, or are an organisation looking to refer someone to Working4U, you can do so by completing the form below.

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Head over to the West Dunbartonshire area of Young Scot to see what organisations offer activities for children, young people and communities - Services & Support for Young People | Young Scot

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Opportunities to get involved in volunteering and Youth Action with Young Scot!
Get Involved | Young Scot

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Volunteering, activities or projects - there are lots of ways to get involved in what's going on in your local community or nationally! Learn more.

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Click here to see what support is available in West Dunbartonshire!
Including food parcels, mental health, drugs and alcohol support.

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Crisis Support from West Dunbartonshire Council -
Short term practical support for those impacted by Covid-19, visit here or alternatively text "help" to 07800 002 582

Childline - 0800 1111 Free private and confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK. Open 24/7

B-eat - 0808 801 0711 Support and services for those dealing with an eating disorder, including a YouthLine open 4pm – 10pm, every day.

The InfoLine, by Young Scot - 0808 801 0338

Free information helpline for 11-26 year olds.
Available: Mon-Friday 10am-5pm

CEOP -
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online?

Head over to CEOP to report it.

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The Moment - Questions to Elected Members

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The Moment - Questions to Elected Members

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Children and Young People's questions were put to our local Councillors, MSP and MP, check out their replies.