What is Independent Travel Training?
Independent Travel Training (ITT) is providing the skills to students to enable them to travel independently on buses, trains and by walking. The Nottinghamshire County Council pilot ITT project is focussing on students with learning difficulties/disabilities. It is an essential life skill that allows students to develop key skills that ensure they will open up opportunities to access educational, employment and leisure opportunities.
Travel Training Programme
On behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council, not-for-profit organisation New Horizons Partnership, deliver a 'train the trainer scheme' to teachers, nominated staff at schools and other people working with client groups. This scheme differs from many others because it trains the trainers rather than the end users.
The ITT Programme is primarily aimed for young people (aged 16-19) with SEN and adults with physical/learning difficulties. It is to be delivered by teachers and support staff with the aim of helping students travel independently to college, work and other specific destinations.
The length of the training programme will depend entirely upon the ability and needs of the pupil and will be determined at the start of the training programme. However, this will be subject to review and the timescale may change depending on the progress of the student.
Generally, the anticipated outcome for students undertaking the training is that they will be able to travel to school independently by either walking or using public transport. However, it is accepted that this may not be realistic for some students. In these circumstances realistic goals will be set to ensure that there are positive outcomes and a sense of achievement for all students.
When a student becomes an independent traveller and if they need to use public transport, the Education Authority will consider providing a travel card for each term that the student remains in education up to the age of 19. Should the student revert to using home to school transport the travel card will be withdrawn.
Accreditation/Qualification for learners
This scheme encourages learners to gain a qualification through in-house accredited training, which offers a nationally recognised qualification, Entry level to Level 1 National Open College Network (NOCN).
Benefits of accreditation for learners are:
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Learners would have recognition for their work and achievement, something to take away, and parents may be more keen on the training as a result
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Learners would achieve a recognisable and transferable qualification which could help them gain employment as they have evidence of being able to travel to work, and which they could use as part of their Continued Professional Development at college or in employment
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Consistency in the training provided would enable delivery of initiatives that could be recognised by users wherever they are.
