Safe travel tips

If your young person with SEND is trying to get out and travel somewhere, they need to feel safe and supported. 

Things you can do to help

• Plan where they would like to go and how they are going to get there. It may help to have this written down. Include things like:
  • What they need to take with them
  • Times that they need to arrive at and leave places
  • Bus numbers
  • Where they need to catch the bus/train from

Here's an example of a  travel checklist created by a family (pdf) (PDF) [52KB]. The sheet is laminated and the young person uses a whiteboard pen to tick off the items as they are packed in their bag. After the journey, the sheet can be wiped clean ready for the next journey.

• Make sure they take a fully charged mobile phone, if they have one, and the phone number of someone they trust
• They should take some money in case they need to make a phone call from a public phone
• They should only take the money they expect to need. Some of this should be kept in a wallet or purse, and some in their pocket
• They could take a personal alarm if they have one
• They should keep their personal possessions, like their phone, wallet or purse, in a safe place on them. For example, their bag or a pocket
• They should tell someone they trust where they are going, and when they expect to be back
• If they can, they should go out with a friend or someone they know
• They should know what to do if something goes wrong. For example, if the bus goes a different way or is late. Find out more at our travel planning tools page

Download an easy read guide on 'Staying Safe out and about'.

If your young person is using public transport, then they might need help to explain something to the bus driver or ticket office. Download Better Journey cards and Safe Journey cards. These are produced by First Bus. The cards can help your young person explain, if additional help is needed.

Safe Places scheme

When your young person is out and about, it can be reassuring if they know where they can go to get help. 

The Safe Places scheme gives details of locations around Norfolk, which provide a safe place for your young person to go to if they need a helping hand.

Download the Safe Places easy read guide (pdf). (PDF) [1MB]