Via School

The card is distributed to all young people in year 7 upwards who are attending state or special schools. Photographers visit schools to take photographs and cards are then produced and sent direct to their home address. Parents and guardians of those pupils who are aged 15 or under can choose to opt out of the scheme.

Via Application form

Some young people will need to apply for a card via postal application form, usually in the following circumstances:

·    Children of primary school age

·    Those who have not attended a photography session – either because they were not present on the day of photography, or if their school has not yet signed up to take part in the scheme;

·    Those in independant schools; and

·    Those under 20 who are no longer in education.

Applications for young people under 16 must be authorised by their parent/guardian.

Application forms are available from:

·    Explore card website

·    Suffolk state schools

·    Bus and railway stations;

·    Libraries;

·    Suffolk County Council offices; and

·    Customer Service Direct (CSD) Centres

Application forms are also available on request by phone (0845 606 6171).

Verifying and submitting a form

There are two types of application forms – School forms, which can be completed by applicants attending school (including independent and primary schools); and Non-School forms, for applicants who do not attend school (including those who work, are unemployed, or attend college).

All applications require a passport photo (guidance on acceptable photos is available here).

School forms must be stamped and signed by a member of school staff.

Non-School forms must be accompanied by copies of documents to prove the applicant’s date of birth (e.g. passport, birth certificate etc.) and address (utility, council tax bill etc.). The application must also be verified by a referee, who must be one of the professionals listed on the form (i.e. teacher, doctor etc.). We will then try to contact the referee at their place of work to verify the details given.

Application forms should be submitted by post to:

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

Cards normally take around 2 – 4 weeks to be issued from the day we receive the application, subject to a successful referee check.

Cards issued to young people under 16 are purple.
Cards issued to young people aged 16 and over are green.