Travel training can help a child in many ways:

• They will have more confidence because they arrive at school or college on their own and not on assisted transport.
  
• They will have more opportunities to develop important social skills and learn how to cope in a variety of situations.
  
• Learning basic travel skills on a familiar route is an excellent foundation from which to learn to travel to new places and meet new friends in the future.
  
• They will be less dependent on friends and family and have greater freedom.

Parents/carers and professionals can access support and advice through the Independent Travel Training scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1)I live in a rural location and not on a regular or direct bus route.  Can my child still be travel trained?

A) Yes it is possible that your child can still be travel trained.  As part of the selection process for Independent Travel Training we look to see if there is a feasible public transport alternative for your child.  If only part of the route from home to your child's place of education is feasible on public transport then they still may be able to undergo Independent Travel Training, possibly connecting up with a taxi as part of the transport solution.

Q2) Will I have to pay for the bus if my child is travel trained?

A) No, if your child is currently travelling on Devon County Council assisted taxi or minibus transport and successfully completes Independent Travel Training then they will be issued with a bus pass for their home to school/college route and return journey.  During the training your child's current transport will only be temporarily suspended, your child will be given a temporary ticket on which to travel on the relevant public transport route.

Q3) Can parents get involved in the training?

A) It is an important part of the Independent Travel Training preparation process to involve the parents right from the start.  Before training commences the trainers conduct a home visit which usually lasts approximately 1 hour and forms part of our extensive risk assessment procedure.  During this visit we try to find out as much relevant information about the student as possible that may affect the Independent Travel Training programme.  It can help to give us an idea of the student's previous experience or particular training requirements.

During the training we also encourage further input from the parents on a daily basis and like to be able to give feedback on your child's progress.  This can be a really exciting time as many of the students progress successfully from never having experienced travelling on public transport to gaining confidence daily in this new environment, whilst putting into practice many previously learned independence skills and devloping new problem solving skills

Q4) Do travel trainers work with other agencies and professionals that are involved with the student?

A) We try to involve other relevant professionals who know the student's background as much as possible.  Often this is vital if, for example, there is a medical condition to consider and a doctor's opinion is required.  Other professionals that may be consulted are Social Services, school tutors and support staff, Occupational Therapists, Devon County Council Transport Officers and Children and Young People's Services

However we always seek written permission from the parents or carers before we request any other information about the students.