Safeguarding
You have an important part to play in safeguarding the passengers that are provided with transport. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Please remember reporting is a vital tool used within LCC to identify trends and other issues, therefore if you think “should I report that” please do so. Use the incident reporting process to report any incidents.
You should engage in conversation with passengers but always maintain a professional relationship.
You should not discuss any personal information of a passenger with anyone other than the passenger’s parent/carer, school/establishment, LCC, your employer.
You must not engage with passengers or their families through social media, and any prior social media contacts must be declared to your employer e.g. you know a parent via social media prior to providing transport for their child.
- All telephone/mobile phone contact should be with parents/guardians/carers.
- Do not contact the passenger directly by mobile phone, regardless of their age.
- Do not video/photograph any passengers.
All information regarding passengers and their family circumstances is strictly confidential and should not be disclosed to anyone other than the child’s parent/ guardian/carer, establishment staff or LCC.
Confidentiality must be always maintained.
Any loss of information/data MUST be reported to LCC immediately, for instance, if a passenger list or NHS Treatment plan is lost.
Any incidents of bullying should be reported immediately to the establishment upon arrival, along with a written report to LCC.
If the behaviour of any passenger causes you concern, you must immediately report the matter to LCC and the establishment.
You should never use aggressive or offensive language or physical intervention to manage the situation. Any physical intervention used, as a last resort to protect yourself or others, must be proportionate to the threat faced and reported immediately to the establishment and LCC. Any instance of physical intervention used, will be referred to the Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) for their guidance (See LADO information at the end of this document).
Except in the case of emergency, passengers are only allowed to leave the vehicle at the agreed drop off locations and should not be dropped off at any other location without the prior approval of LCC.
You must ensure that a safe handover takes place at both ends of the journey involving parents/guardians/carers and establishment staff.
Should a parent/guardian/carer not be at home on the passenger’s return, the rest of the journey should be fulfilled before returning to their address. If the parent/ guardian/carer, is still not present, advice should be sought from LCC via your employer.
Only in an emergency should any passenger be lifted or carried physically onto or off a vehicle by the passenger assistant or driver. If a passenger cannot board the vehicle by any means other than being lifted manually, then a passenger risk assessment is required and the passenger is not to travel until a solution is found.
If you have any doubts or concerns about the way that someone is being treated, don’t keep it to yourself or think it is none of your business.
Remember you are working on behalf of LCC and your information could help a vulnerable child or adult. The numbers at the end of the section are to report any wider concerns to LCC’s Children or Adult Services but if you are unsure then follow our incident reporting process – the most important thing is to let us know.
Safeguarding team for children and adults
Tel: 01522 782111 – Children (8am - 6pm) Tel: 01522 782155 – Adults (8am - 6pm)
Out of hours Emergency Duty Team – 01522 782333 (Children and Adults) Local Area Designated Officer – Queries line - 01522 554674
Report a safeguarding concern – Lincolnshire County Council: