What if something goes wrong?

Preparing your young person on the issues they may face will help give them the skills they need to overcome problems and not panic. Spend some time working through possible problems and what to do if they happen.

• Know who safe people are and safe places. People in uniform such as Police, bus drivers, shop assistants.

• Contact parent/carer.

• Practice using map apps to give guidance, but remember they may need mobile data.

• In training practice getting off at the next stop.

• Contact parent.

• If the bus goes to the station, stay on the bus until you get to the station and ask for assistance.

• Stay on the bus/train until the driver gives instructions on what to do next. A replacement will be sent to continue your journey.

• Contact parent/carer to let them know you will be late.

• Contact parent/carer/school and let them know what has happened and what your items look like. They can then contact lost property and give the bus company the details. New passes can be issued, but there will be a replacement charge.

• Instead of taking a large comforter style toy (if needed) try a small keyring.

• If the young person does not want to interact with other passengers, they could wear headphones with no music.

• When seated stay focused on the journey and keep looking ahead, do not turn around.

• Provide a journey help card with the journey details on to show drivers if they are not confident communicators.

• Mobile phones: make sure they are fully charged before they are needed for a journey.

• Get prepared the night before. Give your young person a list that they can keep with them of what they need.

• Make sure your young person knows who to contact in an emergency. Enter mobile numbers into mobile phones.

• Make visits to bus and train stations and introduce them to the staff there

Other useful resources:

Journey assistance cards – Suffolkonboard.com

Download the What if something goes wrong poster (PDF 1.1MB)