Travel training supports young people with SEND to become independent on their home to school/college journey. Our experienced Travel Trainers give the young person encouragement, information and support, and work with them on a one to one basis.
Travel Training is an AQA accredited programme through which students can gain certified awards to demonstrate and evidence their learning.
Parent/carer involvement is a vital part of this process and open communication between you, your family and the Travel Trainer is very important. We aim to Travel Train students within 3-4 months, with sessions taking place twice a week, although we understand that each student and family circumstance is different. Your safety and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do. A student is not signed off as independent until they have completed all aspects of the programme and until we see them complete the journey independently on a number of occasions.
We work with young people travelling on buses, trains and walking to school/college and cover all aspects of independent travel, including:
- road and personal safety
- how to use timetables and buy tickets
- what to do when things go wrong (for example, if the bus is late or cancelled)
- how and where to ask for help
Personal 1 on 1 training
Travel Trainers give you 1 to 1 training and will work at your pace and with consideration of your individual needs. While we understand that each young person and family circumstances are different, we would aim to Travel Train most students within 3-4 months (with sessions taking place twice a week). Travel Trainers work throughout the school/college holidays and can be flexible in their approach to suit your timetables and other commitments. Once you are considered independent, you can stay in touch with the Travel Trainer if any issues arise in the future and you can receive more Travel Training if you change address or move to a different school or college.
Do you meet the criteria?
In order to take part in the Travel Training programme, you must meet all of the following:
- Have a current EHCP
- Use transport funded by Hertfordshire County Council; either a taxi or PTB (personal travel budget)
- Live in Hertfordshire or have already finished the Travel Training programme, but need to learn a new route to help your education/employment chances, change of campus or college course.
(Travel training is for home to college travel only - we don't provide this for work experience placement journeys)
Everyone who takes part in the programme must be eligible and suitable. The aim is to support young people with needs to become independent, so we focus on those young people who will be able to develop their skills to a level where they can travel independently on public transport.
Apply for travel training
If you are interested in Travel Training, please speak to your college tutor or SENCo, or you (or your parent/carer) can contact us at travel.training@hertfordshire.gov.uk to chat about your options. Take a look at our home to school transport policies.
Travel Training - toolkit for parents
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria and you are interested in doing some travel training with your parent or carer, we have produced a toolkit. It contains the areas you should cover, strategies you can use, and a useful resources section. There are 2 versions, an interactive parent toolkit (PDF 4.6mb) and a printer friendly toolkit (PDF 307kb), so you can print it off and use it in the way that best suits you.
Contact us
Email us at travel.training@hertfordshire.gov.uk to explore your options and see how travel training could help you. Take a look at our home to school transport policies.
Sean's experience
I began travel training in the summer holidays. I was keen to start travelling, but also nervous.
I need not have worried. My travel trainer showed me everything, including how to speak to transport staff. The bus drivers have been very friendly and helpful.
I felt proud when I went on the bus by myself. My parents were proud too!
If you like the idea of travel training, but you're feeling nervous, then I would say give it a go. Be positive and you can do it!"
Page was last updated on: 20/08/2025 12:52:51