We Must Have National Training Standards

I work in Birmingham and have spent the last 12yrs working with people with disabilities on promoting their independence by encouraging them to learn to travel independently. the journey for us all has been and continues to be a difficult one

I have worked to develop policies and procedures, write risk assessments to ensure a full duty of care for workers as well as learners. Alongside this my colleague and I have written and delivered training for workers involved in the work of travel training. our work is accredited through NCFE using our IIQ licence at City College, Birmingham. it is a bit like a half way house.
All this sounds wonderful, but it is not enough. I have spent the last two years endeavouring to put the training for travel trainers on the national framework. I believe this will do many things to take this valuable work forward
  • raise the profile for the travel trainer (we are not out on jollies)
  • ensure a minimum standard of training so that our ultimate learners have a better service
  • funding can be supported by LSC
  • we are all working to national standards
This is only one method of delivering independent travel I.e. by paying some one to carry out the training. I am aware there are more ways that will need to be recognised and accreditation written. My concerns are; if we do not get this national standard recognised and 'anybody' ends up carrying out the training, we will 'lose someone' and all the hours of excellent work that most of us have put in will be discredited and our work stop. so much money is being ploughed into the work, being nationally recognised should assist in the coordination.
I need support with this in three ways
  • if you have an established training programme and want to meet up and assist me in taking the training national contact me. we need to show the awarding body a curriculum that can be used across the country
  • if you are not at this stage but can support by approximating numbers of learners in your authority this will support the case
  • lobby as many people as possible about the need for a national skill sector around the independence needs of the client group.

we are currently involved in a mega project taking all this work forward in SEN schools but I believe Laura Flemingshas already written about this.

Well done to one and all.
Irene Jones
 
Irene Jones
Project Lead Development Officer
City College                                            Education Office
Lozells Access Centre                             Education Transport
1 Guildford Street                                     Margaret Street
Lozells                                                    Birmingham
Birmingham                                             B3 3BU
B19 2HN
 
07787148893                                           0121 675 5691      


 


 
 
 

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