Independent travel training scheme

Plymouth City Council has set up a scheme to provide independent travel training to young people with special educational needs aged 14 to 19 in full time education.

Our travel trainers work on a one-to-one basis with students, helping them develop independent travel skills and problem solving skills, as well as providing general support.

Benefits

• Opens opportunities both for learning and job prospects
• Increases independence and use of own initiative
• Provides greater freedom – less reliant on friends and family
• Raises self confidence
• Develops social skills

Before the training starts

• Travel Trainer will do risk assessments of all routes
• Travel Trainer will have an initial meeting with parents at home to talk about the training plan, consent forms and gather general information.

Red: accompanied travel

Trainer escorts the student to and from the local amenities and on a local bus journey to develop travel skills.

Yellow: supervised travel

Trainer and student will use public transport to get to and from the student’s home.  The trainer will find opportunities to discuss ‘What If?’ scenarios and problem solving during the journey.

Green: independent travel

Consists of practising relevant routes leading towards independent travel. The student will gradually travel independently for recognised small journeys, leading to total independent travel on the home to school/college journey.

Final assessment

The student will be assessed while travelling independently on a relevant journey.

Once the student has completed the scheme, the trainer will monitor their progress once a term and be available to offer advice and support.

Additional information

• The training will take place approximately twice a week. The Travel Trainer will arrange suitable times with school and parents.
• The Travel Trainer will update parents and school regularly on the progress of the student.
• The student will receive a certificate at the end of the scheme as well as a free bus pass valid for one year - this can be used for their independent school journey and at weekends.

Criteria

• Student has a statement of special educational needs and in full-time education
• Aged between 14 to 19
• Living in Plymouth
• Student has basic travel skills including the following:
  • Knowledge of road safety
  • Knowledge of telling the time
  • Knowledge of using money
  • Competent independent foot traveller

Our aims

• To introduce the idea of independent travel
• To explore the positive effects that independent travel can bring to students
• To enable students to identify and practise the skills needed to be able to travel independently

Our objectives

• Have an understanding of what independent travel means
• Have explored how being able to travel independently can have a positive effect on their lives
• Know what skills they need to be able to travel independently and to have practised these skills
• Have reflected on any concerns they might have about travelling independently and taken steps to address these worries

To refer a student onto the travel training scheme contact the project co-ordinator on the above details or speak to your Special Needs Teacher (SENCO).