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Dear Coolmove,

I am pleased to be able to inform you that Calderdale Council have produced an Independent Travel resource pack to assist local authority transport providers and schools/colleges in developing independent travel for students with special educational needs.

The Independent Travel Scheme in Calderdale has been created to support young people with special educational needs to learn to travel independently and therefore access greater opportunities in life. It aims to work with colleagues in schools, colleges and other organisations to support them in enabling independent travel training that is flexible and meets the needs of the individual. The scheme is highly successful resulting in many young people making the journey from home to school, college or placement, independently.

The pack consists of an easy to use CD Rom which has a detailed scheme of work and lesson plans, these are fully downloadable and adaptable to suit your individual organisation. In addition there is a booklet to support the CD Rom for those who prefer a hardcopy.

The CD comprises:-

· rationale behind independent travel;

· documentation and forms including the scheme of work, lesson plans, initial assessment, risk assessment, progress reports, consent letters detailing the stages of independence and final report form;

· examples of how to complete some of the main documents;

· issues and benefits for discussion;

· a list of where further resources can be obtained, many of which are free.

The resource pack is available to colleagues at a small price to contribute towards the production costs. The cost is Ł75.00 each or Ł50.00 each if you order more than 10 packs at any one time. If you would rather view the resource prior to purchasing please contact me to arrange a visit to Calderdale.

Tracy Bird
Independent Travel Co-ordinator
Access Team
Northgate House
Halifax
HX1 1UN
01422 392654

Hi

I began managing an 'Independent Travel Training Programme' across the sub - region of Coventry and Warwickshire in March 2005. We formed part of a multi - agency consisting of partners from Social Services, Adult and Community Learning, a Road Safety Officer and Connexions.

Connexions have been delivering the accredited 'Independent Travel Training Programme' since March 06. The qualification is entry level and level 1 of an Open College Network (OCN) Course. The trainers can also be trained to OCN level 2. The programme was designed by New Horizons based in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland.

We have aimed the course at learning disabled people aged 16 - 25, however the other partners do target the older age groups. The course has been well received by everyone who has been involved with it. For more information please contact:

Michelle Meacham
Wheels to Work Project Manager (Cov and Warks)
Connexions Cov and Warks
1st Floor Tower Court
Foleshill Enterprise Park
Courtaulds Way
Coventry
CV6 5QT

Tel No: 024 76707400
Work Mobile: 07812 143008

Hi

I was recently given the details of your excellent site by a colleague
(Tracy Bird, Calderdale).
My name is Chris Walters and I am the Manager of the Bradford Travel
Training Unit (TTU), which has now been operating for nearly 4 years. We
work with individuals with a learning difficulty that live in Bradford
Metropolitan District and are aged between 14 and 64. Last year we had
more than 130 referrals, of whom over 90% were successful. We are now
funded through 3 separate annual contracts (Bradford Care Trust, Education
Bradford & Bradford College).
We also run 2-day training courses for 'trainers'.
For more information check out our website at
www.traveltraining.originationinsite.com or go to Google and enter
'Bradford travel training'.
We are happy to share information, our experiences, assessment sheets,
record sheets, procedures etc.
We are particularly interested in talking to people about accreditation.
Please contact.

Chris Walters
c.walters@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
01274 436199

Great website, it's good to know there are fellow travel trainers out there!

I'm a travel trainer from Plymouth City Council and I set up an Independent Travel Training scheme in September 2005 for young people aged 14-19 with special needs, focusing on the home to school journey. I've recently implemented a brightly coloured bus wallet which is recognised by the local bus drivers and is working well. Happy to share experiences and ideas!

Angela Wightman
angela.wightman@plymouth.gov.uk

Angela Wightman
Independent Travel Instructor (Project Co-ordinator)
Transport & Allowances
Plymouth City Council
Windsor House
Plymouth
PL6 5UF

Tel: 01752 307339
Mobile: 077899 24156