School transport – vehicle safety and driver training

Introduction

We make school transport arrangements by contracting the work to local transport operators and by using public service vehicles. All vehicles used to transport children are subject to rigorous safety checks throughout the year, and as part of the contract with our operators, all drivers and passenger assistants must attend our driver training seminars. Seat belts are installed on all our contracted vehicles and booster seats are provided for children travelling on taxis who are required by law to have one, although parents must tell us that a booster seat is needed. Suitable harnesses are provided for children travelling in wheelchairs.

Where necessary a passenger assistant will be provided to help children. All drivers and passenger assistants who work on school transport must have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate.

We continually monitor the safety of the vehicles we use, including passenger loadings and behaviour, and pick-up and drop-off points. All vehicles used for school transport are checked by our Vehicle Quality Control Officer at the contractors’ premises and as part of a rolling programme of unannounced spot-checks at schools with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and the police.

Public service vehicles have a more rigorous MOT than a car and have to have regular documented checks. Taxis are checked twice a year; once at their MOT and again when they are assessed for their Hackney or Private Hire licence plate.

Driver and Passenger Assistant Training

All drivers and passenger assistants must hold an enhanced DBS certificate before they can transport children. All drivers and passenger assistants transporting pupils with special educational needs attend our training for passenger care, wheelchair handling, emergency aid, child protection and behaviour management. They also get support visits from our safety team.

Coach and minibus drivers also receive training in behaviour management and safety on buses. Once drivers and passenger assistants have received their DBS certificate, we will issue them with a photo identity badge. This badge is your assurance that they are cleared to work with children.

If you would like more information about vehicle safety or the driver training programmes we run, or if you have any concerns you would like to discuss, please contact us.