Travelling independently with the travel training programme
Our travel training programme helps young people with disabilities, special educational needs or additional needs gain the confidence and skills to travel safely and independently.
“This is a fantastic course that Havering should use more. Independence for our son has and always will be a big ask. This course allowed him to be confident, empowered him and assisted parents at a time when health is not good.” - Parent of a student with special educational needs and disabilities in Havering
What does it do?
The travel training programme can support students in learning how to use public transport, including buses, trains, tubes, or a combination of different types of transport, and can support young people in finding and walking to destinations. Although it focuses on journeys between the student's home and school, it will also teach young people how to make all kinds of journeys outside the school day.
“They understood how scared I was and helped me get over my fear of travelling independently.” - Havering student with special educational needs and disabilities who undertook travel training.
Being able to travel on public transport is a key life skill. It enables young people to make choices about how they live, go about their daily life and fulfil their potential. Our programme is designed to support students to travel to school or college safely by themselves, as well as creating long-term positive effects so people can continue travelling safely independently in the future.
Travel training can support students to improve their:
- social interaction skills
- life skills
- self-esteem
- management of fears and anxieties
- responsibility
- road safety awareness
- time management
- coping strategies
- communication skills
What does the training cover?
The training is personalised depending on the student, their strengths and the support they need. However, normally during the training, we’ll cover:
- Confidence using public transport
- Coping strategies and what to do when things go wrong, for example, when the bus is late or a train changes destination
- Managing fears and anxieties
- How to use timetables and buy tickets
- Personal safety
- Road safety
- Stranger danger
“They explained everything I was going to do in a way I can understand.” - Havering student with special educational needs and disabilities who undertook travel training.
Usually, after agreeing on this with the student’s parent, we’ll complete a role-play with the student and a ‘stranger’ (a travel trainer the student doesn’t know) to assess their learning and capabilities.
“From start to finish, any and all information given and sought was actioned and provided in a clear and concise manner.” - Parent of a student with special educational needs and disabilities in Havering.
Who provides the training?
Travel training is delivered by Deluxe Healthcare in partnership with Havering Council. A suitable travel trainer from the team will be assigned to support the student and their family.
“Fantastic course which went far further than we thought it would. We had brilliant contact and information from the travel trainer – fab organisation.” - Parent of a student with special educational needs and disabilities in Havering
“They treated me like an adult.” - Havering student with special educational needs and disabilities who undertook travel training
How do I apply?
To apply for the travel training programme, you can complete an application form at Havering School Travel Assistance (Opens in new tab). You can then select the travel training option from the drop-down list. We will assess the student’s strengths and suitability for the programme with the student and the family, and will email you to let you know whether you have been accepted onto the programme.
What happens after an application?
If a student is accepted onto the travel training programme, an officer from Deluxe Healthcare Ltd will arrange a face-to-face meeting at the student's home with the student and their family to develop a personalised travel plan tailored to the student’s strengths and needs.
‘The person asking the assessment questions was helpful because they helped make my mum not so nervous about my travel training.” - Havering student with special educational needs and disabilities who undertook travel training.
The student will then have their own travel trainer allocated to them, who will accompany them on their school journeys and support them to develop the skills and coping strategies they need.
The programme can last up to 12 weeks, depending on the level of support the young person needs.
“Totally happy with the assessment and questions asked, it was far more involved in aspects and areas that we had not previously considered.” - Parent of a student with special educational needs and disabilities in Havering
How do I get more information?
Our travel training service is delivered by Deluxe Healthcare Ltd in partnership with Havering Council. If you would like further information about the programme or have any queries regarding how it operates, please contact Deluxe Healthcare directly.
Their team can be reached by telephone at 0208 262 9291 or via mobile at 07397 780653. Alternatively, you may email your enquiries to info@deluxehealthcare.co.uk
The team will be pleased to provide additional details and assist with any questions you may have about the service.