New training will enhance pupils’ journey to school
05 June 2026
New measures are being introduced aiming to ensure every child’s journey to school is safe, consistent, and supportive of pupils’ needs.
As part of a joint commitment to children’s safety, North Northamptonshire Council has teamed up with Spectrum Courses to introduce enhanced training for all drivers and passenger assistants (PAs) involved in travel-to-school.
The award-winning training – which builds on existing training already provided by transport operators – recognises that every child is different, with individual needs, and will help equip transport staff with the skills needed to provide appropriate support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
It will help transport staff recognise when a child may be at risk or distressed, and provide more understanding about their safeguarding responsibilities.
The accredited training – which meets Department for Education (DfE) statutory requirements – offers more reassurance and transparency, with every driver and passenger assistant receiving a certificate when they complete their training, each with its unique verification number.
Driver and Passenger assistants are expected to have completed their training before the start of the new academic year in September 2026. From this date, parents will be able to ask the operator for a driver / PA’s certificate number, and – via the Spectrum Courses website – they can verify the certificate, using the unique number and view the confirmation of completion.
North Northamptonshire Council is working hard to make every child’s experience, when travelling to school, as safe and supported as possible. We have a shared responsibility to support children to ensure they travel safely and comfortably, and arrive at school ready to learn. This enhanced training supports our ongoing work and commitment to improving home to school transport for children across North Northamptonshire.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Children, Education and Families
The training will make transport staff more aware of their roles, responsibilities and expected standards. It will help them to recognise signs of concern, how to respond appropriately, how to record and report the facts, and professional boundaries.
Staff will be better able to support children with autism and ADHD, physical and sensory needs, communication differences, and hidden disabilities.
Refresher training will take place every year to ensure knowledge stays up to date.
DfE guidance recognises that parents and carers are experts in their child’s individual needs. Guidance states that they should feel confident to ask for a ‘meet and greet’ with the operator, share information that helps their child travel safely, and raise any concerns with your transport provider or the council.
Alongside the Spectrum Courses training each driver and PA will also be issued with easy-to-carry safeguarding guides which will contain essential information for them to refer to each day.
In addition, each vehicle will be supplied with a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) board. These will be familiar to many families as they are used in school settings to aid communication for children and young people who have difficulties verbalising their feelings and emotions.
A ‘Safer journeys to school’ leaflet for parents and carers will be sent to schools, and organisations such as SEND IASS and the Parent Carer Forum, with more information about the training.
Find out more about the training on the Spectrum Courses website via www.spectrumcourses.co.uk
You can find contact details for the council’s School Travel team via www.northnorthants.gov.uk/school-travel-assistance/contact-school-travel-team