Independent travel training

• Young people who have had travel training may find the increased independence gives them improved self-esteem and confidence.
• They will be less reliant on parents and carers to take them to places. This again will increase confidence and opportunities.
• Greater opportunities to participate in social activities, such as sports, Guides, Scouts or youth activities.
• More likely to find themselves paid work or volunteering opportunities in the future.
• Increased chances of living independently.
• Potential increased health benefits.
• Promotes equality of opportunity and independence.

This is an individual decision based on circumstances and the needs of the child/young person. Generally the earlier the training starts the better, given that it can take years to practice and to embed the procedures. Some children may never travel independently, but the aim would to possibly be more independent than before, such as being able to walk a familiar route.

If not started before, the ideal time is Year 10 during the transition phase, as once the young person leaves school at the end of Yr 11 the rules for Post-16 transport change.

An application needs to be made for those who need any form of travel assistance. A Post-16 contribution, which can vary annually, will have to be be paid - unless the family has a low income and if a student is eligible under the Post-16 Transport policy.

Here are some basic ideas and suggestions to start with, which can be done at any age:

• Encourage your child to think independently about what they need for any occasion before leaving the house, such as a coat, bag, money or keys.
• Teach money handling skills when you both go to the shops.
• Encourage your child to speak to or point out other authority figures when out in the community, for example the Police.

Community Support Officers (who have often been in schools), adults in the ticket office at stations, train stations and point out which adults could help them in the future. Increasing communication skills will assist your child across all scenarios.

• Encourage your child to start buying their own ticket, with supervision, at self-service machines at train and bus stations for example, when you travel together.
• Try a day trip on public transport. (ideas are below of how to do that.)
• Walk around your community, to the park, shops etc. Talk about safe places to cross and explain how to use a pedestrian and zebra crossing.
• Try to teach telling the time in both analogue and digital format as public places may have either.
• Apply for communication cards which are often available from specific charities such as the National Autistic Society.

These can be handed out if your child becomes uncomfortable in a public place. They often state the child’s difficulties, such as autism or communication difficulties, whether they may require assistance and if being left alone alters their behaviour while in public.

A parent/carer could:

• wait outside a school door at the end of the day, rather than go in
• wait at the school gate at the end of the day to allow the child to walk the distance themselves
• gradually stay further back at the beginning and end of the school day to allow entry and exit into/out of school independently.

Once your child can use a phone, perhaps encourage them to undertake a small journey and text you when they are there - reassurance for both of you! This could be a trip to the local shops to spend pocket money, for example.

If they are in a taxi or minibus they could be met at the end of the road, for instance, or in some cases students are capable of letting themselves into a house.

Buses

You can apply for the Disabled Person’s Bus Pass and submit the necessary evidence, which allows the child/young person to travel for free throughout West Sussex, at all times, including holidays and weekends.

You can also apply for a Companion Pass at the same time to allow somebody to escort your child or young person and to teach the basics of travelling. Evidence that a companion is required will have to be submitted and the pass can only be used when accompanying the Young Person.

Stagecoach have a smartphone App which gives live journey times and the ability to purchase tickets. It shows in minutes when a bus is due, where the next stop is, which can help reduce travel anxiety.

Helping Hand cards are also advertised from the main bus companies for free. The cards include signs such as ‘Please tell me which bus stop to get off at', or ‘Please give me time to sit down before you move'. The idea is to show the driver when get on the bus.

• View our information page for the Helping Hand scheme

The links below show the Journey Assistance cards that can be used. Journey planners are also on the main websites.

• Arriva Bus - Guidance making bus travel easier for customers with disabilities.
• Brighton and Hove Helping Hands scheme - Covers Crawley.
• National Express - Help and advice.
• Stagecoach - Information on journey assistance cards.

Travelling by train

A Disabled Person’s Railcard is also available. This will give one-third off the cost of rail travel and can be purchased for £20 for one year. There are usually special offers on regarding family and group travel too.

Southern Railway’s support whilst you're travelling web page provides information on how to get support from Southern Railway employees and features useful guides, apps and schemes.

There is a good network of public transport available within West Sussex and you can find out different ways of doing the same journey by using a journey planner.

The websites linked below enable you to enter the start and end point of a journey and will give travel options for car, walking, train, bus or cycling, or a combination of them.

They will give timings of trains and buses (plus the number of the bus) and estimated times for walking, so you can get a full journey plan.

• Plan your train journey - Resources to help you plan a journey by rail.
• Bus routes and timetables - Information to help you plan your journey by bus.
• Book-a-Bus - A flexible on-demand service, for areas with limited or no bus service.
• Travel Line South West - A journey planner that can also be used for the South East of England.

Yes you can. You could always check with your Social Worker who could advise you on how to do this.

Direct payments and Personal budgets can also be used as long as the personal budget is supporting the aims of the EHCP.

If you have queries and/or receive mid to low disability living allowance (DLA), you can ask for advice by emailing: short.breaks@westsussex.gov.uk.

Why not ask your PA to:

• walk
• take a bus
• go on a train
• practice a route to school or college with your child?

If they are both going on a cinema trip for example, then why not walk or use public transport rather than going in the PA’s car?