FAQ's

We carry out photography sessions at most Suffolk state schools, usually beginning at school year 7. Posters at schools will tell students when a photographer will be visiting.

Parents / guardians of students under the age of 16 may decline the card – Parents / guardians will be sent an opt out form to be returned to us if they do not want a card issued to their child.

As the explore cardholder gets older, new photographs will be taken and a new card will be issued.

You will need to complete an individual application form and return it to the Explore Team with a passport photo and some proof of your date of birth and address. (Please make sure the photo is as up to date as possible to ensure that it still looks like you!)

Click here to request a form.

You will have to apply via an application form which you can get from your school or by clicking here.

Then complete and return this form to the Explore team with a passport photo (please make sure the photo is as up to date as possible to ensure that it still looks like you!).

Libraries
Bus & railway stations
Council offices & The Public Access Centre
Web site www.suffolkonboard.com

Note: for these applicants there will be no automatic renewal reminders. Applicants will need to send in a new application form and photo, 2-3 weeks before their current card expires to ensure a new card can be issued.

All cards are delivered to home addresses.

If you submitted an application form, providing that all information required is present and correct you will receive your card within 5 weeks of receipt of application.

You will need to apply for a card if:

• you were not automatically issued with a card from school (for example, some schools have not yet agreed to a visit from a photographer, or the student may not be in school on the days when photographs were taken);

• you are in school years 1 – 6;

• you attend a private school;

• you are no longer in education in Suffolk.

If you are 16 or over, you can apply for the card yourself. If you are under 16 your Parent or Guardian will need to apply for you.

Cards issued to young people under 16 will be purple; cards issued to young people aged 16 and over will be green.

Click here to request an application form. (Please make sure the photo you send with it is as up to date as possible to ensure that it still looks like you.)

School Form: This is for students still at school but who missed or do not have access to a photography session. This application form must be verified by the school and have a passport photo attached. Those pupils attending private schools can also use this form.

Individual Form: This is for people who are no longer at school (i.e. college/employment). This form must be verified by a professional (e.g. college lecturer, doctor, minister of religion, MP etc) and contain a passport photo.

We need to confirm that:

• the applicant lives in Suffolk (e.g. via proof of address);

• their date of birth is correct (e.g. by checking against a passport or a birth certificate);

• the passport photograph is that of the applicant.

The application forms clearly states what information is required from the applicant.

Please note:

Only passport-approved photos will be accepted. No school photos / home printed photos etc. A photo guidance sheet is available on request.

All individual application forms will now be subject to a 100% referee check.

From the date the application is received, cards will take approximately 15 working days to be delivered.

Explore Scheme Administrator
Endeavour House
8 Russell Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP1 2BX

As long as you live in Suffolk, and are over the age of 5 and under 20, you are eligible for a card.

This includes you if you are:

• a student who boards at a school in Suffolk;

• a student who lives in Suffolk and attends one of its colleges;

• a student at a USAF school in Suffolk;

• a young person in residential care.

Unfortunately if you go to school or college in Suffolk, but your home address is not in the county, you do not qualify for an Explore card.

Contact CSD on 08456 066 067 and they will ask you for the following information:

• Name

• Address

• Date Of Birth

• School (if applicable)

• Contact telephone number

Contact CSD on 08456 066 067 or click here to request a reprint, you will be asked for the following information:

• Name

• Address

• Date Of Birth

• School (if applicable)

• Contact telephone number

Please state if your card has been lost or stolen

Please note: Explore cards now contain an issue number so we can identify how many cards the cardholder has been issued with. You must state LOST or STOLEN etc. A replacement charge may be introduced at a later date.

Contact CSD on 08456 066 067 or click here to request a reprint, you will be asked for the following information:

• Name

• Address

• Date Of Birth

• School (if applicable)

• Contact telephone number

• What amendments need to be made to your card

Please return it to:

Explore Team

Endeavour House

8 Russell Road

Ipswich

IP1 2BX

If you have found a purse / wallet please take this to a police station.

Contact CSD on 08456 066 067 or e-mail the Explore Team you will need the following information:

• Name

• Address

• Date Of Birth

• School (if applicable)

• Contact telephone number

• Detail - e.g. Bus company refused discount on route number **, date & time.

• Retailer - who, when & where

Please give as much detail as possible.

You can travel outside of Suffolk, providing you buy a return journey ticket and your journey does not require you to change your bus or train. For more information go to the travel pages.

If your card has a PASS hologram on the front and is refused as proof of age, please contact us with as many details as possible by e-mailing us here, or calling 08456 066 067.

If your card does not have a PASS hologram it means it is an old card issued before the Explore scheme was PASS accredited, and therefore is not official proof of age. To get a PASS hologrammed card you will need to apply. Request a form here.

Please note that you need to have an up to date photo on your card so that the person checking can be sure that it is you! If the photo no longer looks like you, you will need to re-apply with a new photo. Request a form here.