School travel assistance

Independent travel is a crucial life skill that helps give a young person the freedom to fulfil their potential and live a full life and gives young people and adults with special educational needs and/or disabilities the skills and confidence they need to travel independently to schools colleges and community activities.

The individualised travel training programme includes:

• one-to-one personalised travel trainer support
• increased self-confidence and esteem
• journey planning
• road and personal safety skills
• time management
• emergency strategies
• stranger awareness

Benefits of travel training

Independent travel training (ITT) is a very important skill for life. ITT has shown to have positive effects on the lives of the young people trained, as well as those around them.

Successful travel training can enable families to do more things together and provide more time for separate activities. Being able to travel with less support allows young people to do more social and educational activities. this helps them maintain better relationships with their peers. Independent travel skills also help to open up employment opportunities. This all contributes to young people leading a more fulfilled life.

How the training is delivered

Before any training takes place, we will first assess that the young person is ready to be considered for Independent Travel Training.(ITT). To be considered for ITT the young person must have the potential ,once trained, to travel to and from school completely independently. Parent or carers are involved from the outset. The travel assessor will meet to explain how the programme works. The training is then tailored to meet the student’s needs.

Throughout the training there will be regular assessments of the young person’s progress. These are shared with the family of the young person.

The training is one-to-one and the young person will be accompanied at all times for the first phase. The basics are learned (such as the Green Cross Code; safe practice; how to get on and off transport; what to do in an emergency etc.).

The training process consists of four key stages:

1. Learning the route
2. Travelling at peak times
3. Confirming the young person is safe
4. Recognising their achievement

Taxi/bus provision

The number of sessions required by the young person varies depending on ability. It is important to stress that each case is determined by the needs of the learner. On the days where there is no travel training, the learner will continue to use their normal mode of transport to get to school/college.

If the training is completed and the learner becomes independent on the route, they will start to use public transport instead of having a taxi or minibus provided by us.

How to apply or make a referral

Anyone can refer someone for independent travel training

Complete the referral form (DOCX, 83.74KB) giving as much detail as possible. Then email it to: traveltraining@croydon.gov.uk

​What happens when you make a referral

We will review the referral form and assess the information provided. A travel assessor will then organise a meeting with the family and the young person to discuss the programme in more detail. 

If the young person is suitable for ITT, then training will be scheduled.

Who to contact

Monica Clarke – Independent Travel Training Co-ordinator

 

Jackie Wright – Travel Assistance Commissioner:

020 8760 5454

jackie.s.wright@croydon.gov.uk

Travel Training Team: Telephone: 020 86047578

traveltraining@croydon.gov.uk