Independent Travel Training – Building Confidence through Travel

Developing independence can be a key part of supporting young people with special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care plan (EHCP) to feel more comfortable and confident in their daily lives. 

One area that can help to create this sense of independence is travel. Whether it’s journeying to school or college, using buses or trains for leisure or learning walking routes, the ability to travel independently gives young people a strong sense of confidence and lifelong skills.

To provide support with these skills, Enable have been working closely with the Specialist Transport Team at Shropshire Council, which operate a range of transport services for school and college pupils with SEN or EHCP.

Our Independent Travel Training Programme, delivered in partnership with the Transport Team, is personalised to each individual’s needs and based around the journeys they regularly make, whether for education or leisure.

“It’s a transformational and transferable skill for the rest of your life. I’ve seen it change many lives for the better and can liberate families from the stress and burden of transporting their children.”

Jeremy Yarnell Davies – Travel Training Officer

 

During these sessions, young people benefit from one-to-one support from a specialist travel trainer who initially journeys with them until they become familiar with the route. As their confidence builds, the trainer will gradually phase out support when it’s appropriate, planning and assessing progress and personal safety at every step of the way.

This programme has already supported countless young people to travel confidently and independently around the county, including local college student Ellie whose parents said: 

“We can’t believe it – from going nowhere by herself, Ellie now goes to college every day by getting two buses each way on her own. “Enable made sure she was safe and capable at each stage. Not only has this greatly increased Ellie’s self-confidence, but it’s made us realise she can achieve many more things. Thank you.”

 

Find out more about Enable’s Independent Travel Training or explore our other services, including supported internships, job coaching and the STEP UP Programme.