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How parents can support independent travel skills

 

Not all young people will be able to travel independently, but most can with the right support and guidance. Parents and carers play an important role in helping young people develop the skills and confidence needed to travel independently. Learning to travel safely takes time, and practising little and often can help young people become more independent at a pace that feels right for them.
Young people tell us that learning to travel independently is often a skill they wish they had learned as when they are not able to travel independently, this becomes a barrier to volunteering, working and socialising when they are ready to and want to do these things.
Our Preparing for Adulthood section 'How can I get around independently' was created with young people with SEND and contains helpful resources and guidance for them to help them learn to travel on their own. 

 

 

Independent travel involves more than getting from A to B. You can help your child build skills by:

  • Talking about road safety and practising safe crossing points.
  • Helping them recognise local landmarks and familiar routes.
  • Encouraging them to tell the time and understand how long journeys take.
  • Practising using money, travel passes, bank cards or payment apps.
  • Looking at bus, train or journey planning apps together.

Independent travel involves more than getting from A to B. You can help your child build skills by:

  • Talking about road safety and practising safe crossing points.
  • Helping them recognise local landmarks and familiar routes.
  • Encouraging them to tell the time and understand how long journeys take.
  • Practising using money, travel passes, bank cards or payment apps.
  • Looking at bus, train or journey planning apps together.

Many young people benefit from learning in small steps.

You could:

  1. Plan a route together and identify landmarks, stops and safe places to get help.
  2. Travel the route together several times.
  3. Encourage your child to take more responsibility for decisions such as checking timetables or knowing when to get off.
  4. Gradually reduce support, for example by following at a distance or meeting them at agreed points along the route.

Many young people benefit from learning in small steps.

You could:

  1. Plan a route together and identify landmarks, stops and safe places to get help.
  2. Travel the route together several times.
  3. Encourage your child to take more responsibility for decisions such as checking timetables or knowing when to get off.
  4. Gradually reduce support, for example by following at a distance or meeting them at agreed points along the route.

It can help to discuss and practise what to do if something does not go to plan, such as:

  • A bus being cancelled or delayed.
  • Missing a stop.
  • Getting lost.
  • Running out of phone battery.
  • Feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Role-playing different scenarios can help build confidence and problem-solving skills.

It can help to discuss and practise what to do if something does not go to plan, such as:

  • A bus being cancelled or delayed.
  • Missing a stop.
  • Getting lost.
  • Running out of phone battery.
  • Feeling anxious or overwhelmed.

Role-playing different scenarios can help build confidence and problem-solving skills.

Consider whether your child would benefit from:

  • A fully charged mobile phone.
  • Important contact numbers saved in their phone and written down.
  • An emergency contact card in their wallet or bag.
  • A small amount of emergency money or a backup payment method.
  • Knowing who they can ask for help, such as transport staff, station staff or police officers.

Consider whether your child would benefit from:

  • A fully charged mobile phone.
  • Important contact numbers saved in their phone and written down.
  • An emergency contact card in their wallet or bag.
  • A small amount of emergency money or a backup payment method.
  • Knowing who they can ask for help, such as transport staff, station staff or police officers.

Every young person is different. Some may learn quickly, while others need more time and repetition. Celebrate progress, focus on what is going well, and remember that developing independent travel skills is a journey in itself.

Independent travel training is about helping young people become more confident, safe and independent. Families know their children best and can play a key role in supporting and reinforcing these skills at home.

Every young person is different. Some may learn quickly, while others need more time and repetition. Celebrate progress, focus on what is going well, and remember that developing independent travel skills is a journey in itself.

Independent travel training is about helping young people become more confident, safe and independent. Families know their children best and can play a key role in supporting and reinforcing these skills at home.