This information has been put together as a guide for parents and carers of young people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Independent travel is an invaluable lifelong skill. It builds confidence and self-esteem, widens a young person’s social opportunities and opens up their social circle.
Each young person is different—some will just want to learn to do one journey that is safe, while others may be happy to go on public transport to new places by themselves. There is no right or wrong.
The benefits of independent travel for young people and their parents or carers include:
Run through the seven steps below with your child to make sure they’re fully prepared for each stage of their journey. There’s a handy checklist at the end that gives more detail on what to cover. The journey to school, college, or work is a great starting point due to its repetition.
1. Preparation and road safety
Start by making sure young people can safely cross roads. Parents and carers should teach the young person to cross a road, incorporating road safety. When ready, ask the young person to take the lead.
Check how long the journey is from home to their destination. A journey with too many changes or over an hour can be difficult to remember, so choose the simplest route. It’s always good for the young person to have a charged phone with them that has key contact numbers stored on it.
Use Google Maps to create a route and complete it together in advance. Choose the safest route, not necessarily the shortest. Look out for safety features such as CCTV, streetlights, and safe crossings. Identify landmarks your child can remember. Try out a few different routes together until they feel confident.
3. The first journey and getting to the bus stop
Ensure your child has everything they need, bus pass, bag, phone, money (including extra money for emergencies), and lunch. Walk with them to the bus stop so they know how to get there. Ensure they have some extra money in case they lose their bus pass.
4. Stopping the bus and boarding
Talk about queuing and waiting their turn. Explain that they need to hold their arm out to stop the bus. Encourage them to have their bus pass or money ready. They should then find a safe place to sit, ideally downstairs, in view of the driver.
Encourage your child to be observant, look out of the window for landmarks, and ensure they’re on the correct bus. Give them the times they need to be at their destination.
Teach them to press the bell in time for the driver to stop and to take their belongings when getting off.
Make sure they know the route from the bus stop to their destination and can cross roads safely. Practice the route together until they are confident.
Do: Identify permanent landmarks to help with route learning.
Don’t: Use landmarks that change with the seasons (eg Christmas lights).
Do: Practice the route repeatedly for confidence.
Don’t: Overload your child with too many routes at once.
Do: Discuss personal safety and "what if" scenarios.
Don’t: Share negative stories about public transport.
Do: Be positive and praise small achievements.
Don’t: Give up—if at first you fail, keep trying!
If your child has a medical condition, ensure they carry any necessary medication or equipment (eg an inhaler). They should also carry an emergency card or talisman bracelet and know what to do in case they feel unwell.
Our Pass: Free bus travel for 16 to18 year olds in Greater Manchester. Apply on the Our Pass website.
Disabled travel sass: Disabled people are entitled to a bus pass giving free off-peak travel on local bus services anywhere in England. Apply on the TfGM website.
Post 16 to19 bursary fund: A bursary is money that your child or their education or training provider can use to pay for things like clothing, books and other equipment for their course and transport and lunch on days they study or train. Find out more on GOV.UK.
Salford SEN Transport: Salford City Council provides information and support on travel, independent travel training, free bus passes and travel aids. Find out more about SEN transport.
Salford’s Local Offer: The Local Offer provides wider information on what support services are available in Salford for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities and their parents/carers. Find out more about the Local Offer.
She’s been much happier now that she can meet up with her friends after school.
My kids love traveling on the bus with their friends.
My daughter was ready to become travel trained and has been enjoying the freedom.
It was so lovely to see how happy my son was after his first unaccompanied journey.
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