Independent travel training

Independent travel training can help you develop the skills you need to get around the borough on your own safely.

Whether you’re looking to travel to work, school, college, health appointments, or to be able to access other support in your community, you may benefit from travel training if you:

• are an adult with a learning or physical disability
• have a sensory impairment
• are a young person with special educational needs
• have mental health issues

It could be that you need help to travel independently for the first time, or that you've lost the skills and confidence to travel on public transport.

How travel training works

We'll work with you to find out what support you need to travel on your own. We'll meet with you and others who support you to ask about your needs and experience of travelling - such as using public transport.

When we know about the kind of support you need, we’ll arrange a practical assessment with you. We'll look any physical, mobility or other personal challenges that prevent you from getting around, and at things that could help you to travel confidently and safely.

We’ll match you with a 'travel enabler' from our team, and work with you to plan routes for the places you want to travel to. We’ll consider using public transport, walking, crossing roads and more. We'll also complete a risk assessment to eliminate or reduce as much risk as possible.

Our plans are always tailored to your needs, and in a format that you can understand. We’ll use things like flip-over books and pictures showing the routes by landmarks. We’ll also give you a help card with emergency contact numbers in case you need them.

How to apply

You can apply for travel training yourself, or ask someone such as your social worker or teacher to help you. Fill in the application form and email this to independenttraveltraining@barnsley.gov.uk. You can also email us if you have any questions.

We'll assess your circumstances to see if you qualify for help. See our social care assessment webpage for details about this.

What our service users say

• "I used to go everywhere in a taxi - it cost a lot of money. Travel training and becoming an independent traveller on public transport has saved me pounds."
  
  
• "Independent travel training has taught me how to use my mobile phone. If there's a problem when I'm out I can easily contact someone."
  
  
• "I'm proud of how far I've come. Without the support I'd be stuck in the house. Now I have a job and it's helped me regain my independence." 
  
  
• "I’m going to meet a friend on Friday and I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t have to rely on anyone taking me or going with me."