For some individuals we support, travelling by bus, minibus, or taxi is an integral part of their daily routine. They – and their families – rely on organised transport to drop off them off and pick them up, and sometimes take them to off-site appointments.
While some vehicles are provided by a local authority, others are privately contracted by the school, or health or social care provider. Without reliable transportation, many individuals would struggle to access our settings, so we are all dependent on the smooth running of these services.
While we might not always consider transport a key focus area for behaviour support, sharing our approach with drivers and others across the transport team can help them better understand behaviour as communication, and ensure that every journey is as safe, calm, and comfortable as possible.
Of course, many drivers and escorts already do a fantastic job of getting to know our children, young people, and adults, acknowledging their diverse and unique needs. While their main focus is on safety, and getting from A to B without incident, they also form strong connections with individuals and their families, and endeavour to engage positively with them before, during, and after a journey.
However, sometimes there can be barriers to successful journeys. Depending on the nature of our organisation, drivers may be transporting individuals with a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive needs or disabilities. Some may only be travelling for a short distance, but others may have much longer daily journeys, and could be travelling for long periods of time between home and their school or service. Invariably, drop-offs and pick-ups happen at busy times of the day, something which many of our children, young people, and adults can find overwhelming and stressful.
When we combine all these factors, and others, such as having difficult experiences during the day, it’s easy to understand why individuals can sometimes become distressed and engage in behaviour that needs support.
Behaviour can potentially increase the level of risk while travelling. Even when everyone onboard is regulated and calm, the environment could already be considered higher-risk: individuals are in a confined space; the vehicle may be moving at speed; other road users can behave unpredictably; and rapidly changing weather can adversely affect driving conditions.
Naturally, safety is paramount, and drivers need to train all of their attention on the road. However, it can be helpful for them to understand why individuals might be behaving in a certain way, and, along with any other staff members, have strategies in place to reduce risk, alleviate feelings of stress and anxiety, and de-escalate situations.
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