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Preparing for adulthood – Developing independence
Build confidence and skills
Personal development is important for all children and young people including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It helps build confidence, manage emotions, develop social skills, and gain independence.
Encouraging your child or young person to take part in activities that boost their confidence will help them be more independent. Here are some programs designed to support personal development:
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE)
Choose the things you love to do or try something completely new, help your community, test your limits, enhance your skills, and grow your confidence.
Find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The King’s Trust
A set of programmes providing a helping hand to grow your confidence and skills, get a job that’s right for you or start your own business.
Travelling and getting out and about
Travelling and getting out and about
As children become teenagers, they may want to travel independently. Many young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) need extra support to do this safely. In Bromley we have services and support to help them gain confidence in travelling alone.
Education Travel Assistance
Travel training helps children and young people who are eligible for Education Travel Assistance develop the confidence and skills to travel safely and independently. The programme supports young people to become more independent, both now and as they prepare for adulthood.
Our experienced travel trainers work on a one-to-one basis with each young person, providing personalised support tailored to their individual needs, abilities and travel goals. Training is delivered in stages and progresses at a pace that is right for the young person.
Young people can build their confidence and independence using buses, trains and walking routes, developing practical skills such as:
- Road and personal safety
- Planning journeys
- Using timetables
- Buying tickets
- Knowing what to do if something goes wrong, such as a delayed or cancelled bus
- Understanding how and where to ask for help
- Travelling confidently within their local community
Independent travel training can help young people develop important life skills that support greater independence, access to education, employment opportunities and participation in community life.
You can find out more information and eligibility at Bromley Council’s Education Travel Assistance website page.
Watch the videos to find out more about Bromley’s Travel Training Programme
Travel training programme through CASPA
The travel training programme delivered through CASPA, is a course designed to help young people and adults (18+) navigate streets and use public transportation independently. The course includes:
- Route planning: Learn how to read maps and schedules to plan your trips.
- Safety tips: Discover how to stay safe and recognise important landmarks.
- Communication advice: Pick up handy tips for engaging with transport staff and fellow passengers.
- Hands-on practice: Experience real-life travel scenarios with our friendly trainers.
Find out more about the new CASPA travel training.
Using public transport (buses, trains and trams)
The TfL Go app and journey planner give the best routes between stations, bus stops, places of interest, addresses or postcodes. You can also set the time you want to travel and whether you want to take the fastest route or the one with fewest changes or least walking involved. It can also tell you quieter times at your station.
TfL also produces a range of accessibility maps and guides that you can order or download.
Plan: A simple guide for safe travel
Encourage your child to use the PLAN method when travelling:
Prepare
- Plan your journey – think “How do I get there?” and “How do I get back?” before you leave.
- Tell someone where you are going, who with and when you arrive back.
- If you can, travel with friends or somebody you know.
- Think about any possible dangers.
- Have a list of phone numbers to contact if things go wrong.
Look confident
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that let you move easily.
- Remember your body language – stand tall and look like you know where you are going.
- Carry a shriek alarm (and learn how to use it), emergency phone numbers, some change in your pocket, and keep your keys in a safe pocket.
Avoid risks and be aware of what’s happening
- Keep looking at and listening to what’s happening around you.
- Keep away from odd or out-of-the-way places wherever you can.
- When you travel at night, try to wait in a brightly lit place and be aware of your surroundings.
- Try not to change plans at the last minute – or if you have to, tell someone.
- Keep your personal belongings close to you at all times.
- Only use your mobile phone if you really have to.
- Keep one hand free – not in your pocket or cluttered up with shopping.
Never take your safety for granted
Never say to yourself:
- “It only happens to other people”.
- “It’s only a short journey”.
- “They look honest”.
More information
Find the right living arrangements
Where and how your young adult lives is an important decision. Many young people live with their families into their late teens or early twenties before moving out. They often begin in shared flats or student accommodation before moving on to living alone, with friends or partners. However, for some young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), additional support may be needed.
Understanding your young person’s rights
Under 16: Parents and carers are responsible for their child’s living arrangements.
Aged 16 to 17: Young people can leave home with permission, but they may need support if living independently.
When you’re under 18, you usually can’t rent a property by yourself. But you can get support if you’re not living at home anymore.
Aged 18 or over: Young people can rent their own property and make independent housing decisions.
Housing options for young people with SEND
When your young person turns 18, they can rent a home or apply for a mortgage. If they need extra support, they can explore:
Social housing: Council or housing association properties (waiting lists may be long).
Shared Lives: Finding vulnerable young people and adults a home with a suitable carer so they are able to live more independently and also feel part of a family and a community.
Adapted housing: An occupational therapist (OT) can assess your young person’s needs and may refer them for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to help make their home more accessible.
Help from social care services
Money and finances
Things to do
Visit the Young SEND Matters website or the Adult Learning Disability Hub for more information.
For free, impartial advice, contact Bromley IASS (Information, Advice and Support Service).