Management Information Sheet

The Travel independence Training Across the Nation (TITAN) service has been in operation in Norfolk for the last 10 years. A change in line management to Education Participation, Infrastructure and Partnership Service as of this financial year has, together with significant staffing changes on the team, triggered the decision to undertake a review of the service.

The Summer Buddy Service 2019 has been delivered as planned, with 60 post-16 students being assessed as independent travellers. Travel trainer work will continue until Autumn half term supporting an additional number of students, who are close to becoming independent.

The capacity to deliver the service effectively and within the available budget means a redesign now needs to take place. The service will undergo a fundamental design and restructure in order to deliver a service that works closely with other teams across Norfolk County Council and will seek to gain maximum benefit from other agencies also supporting vulnerable students. Full consideration will be given to ensuring that the four priorities of Norfolk County Council Strategy 2018-21 are taken into account:

• Safe children and resilient families
• Promoting independent for vulnerable adults
• Local service strategy
• Organisational effectiveness

Unfortunately, during this current transitional phase there is no capacity to deliver the services that schools/colleges have previously accessed from the TITAN service, including sessions for school/college staff and students related to the Red Amber Green (RAG) programme and any associated assessments.

Where schools have staff who are already TITAN trained and therefore able to support students undertake the RAG programme, then student bus passes will be provided (subject to terms and conditions being met), to enable this work to continue. Final assessment materials can be provided, but schools will need to make their own arrangements to conduct and report on final assessments. Applications for bus passes, in relation to this work, need to be made to titan@norfolk.gov.uk, any passes provided will be subject to terms and conditions.

Under the transitional arrangements, schools who do not have TITAN trained staff will not be able to request bus passes for students to undertake travel independence.

It is envisaged that new services will be in operation in early 2020.

We wish to set up a working group to help support the review and to inform and shape future services. If you would like to be involved or wish to nominate a colleague to take part, please contact titan@norfolk.gov.uk

For information, contact Bridget Marshall-Nichols, Employer Engagement Coordinator.