Transport Contracting
Schools that contract home to school transport have the same legal duty of care for pupils and drivers as local authorities or library boards.
Legal Obligations
When schools contract transport services directly, they assume full responsibility for ensuring the safety and welfare of all pupils using those services. This responsibility cannot be delegated to the transport provider.
Essential Contracting Requirements
Operator Verification
Verify that contractors hold valid Operator's Licences and meet all regulatory requirements before signing any agreements.
Insurance Coverage
Ensure adequate insurance coverage is in place, including public liability and passenger coverage appropriate for school transport.
Driver Credentials
Confirm drivers hold PSV Licences, CPC accredited, checked for suitability to work with children. Ideally drivers should receive relevant training to undertake school work.
Service Standards
Establish clear service standards, safety protocols, and performance monitoring procedures within the contract.
Important Warning
Schools often choose the cheapest option when hiring coach travel, but this can put children at risk. Always prioritise safety standards over cost when selecting transport providers.
Ongoing Contract Management
Regular Reviews
Conduct regular reviews of service quality, safety performance, and contract compliance to ensure standards are maintained.
Incident Reporting
Establish clear procedures for reporting and investigating any safety incidents or service failures.
Performance Monitoring
Implement systems to monitor punctuality, reliability, and overall service performance against agreed standards.
Risk Assessments for Traffic Movement
Written risk assessments for movement of traffic inside school grounds are required for every school in the UK irrelevant of status.
Legal Requirement
This risk assessment must be accessible to staff, parents, pupils, visitors, and transport operators. Schools may delegate the task of producing the written risk assessment to their local authority (if they are a state school), but the school governing body or management team retains legal responsibility for ensuring the document is adequate and kept up to date.
Assessment Components
The risk assessment should examine how pedestrians will be protected from traffic and may include:
Monitoring and Compliance
Records should be available detailing measures taken to monitor compliance of these procedures and noting who has responsibility for this.
Seat Belt Policy
Schools and local authorities should have a comprehensive Seat Belt Policy detailing how seat belt wearing will be enforced.
Policy Importance
A clear seat belt policy ensures that parents, carers, and pupils understand the requirements and consequences. This helps create a culture of safety and compliance.
Policy Requirements
Clear Documentation
The policy should detail how seat belt wearing will be enforced and provide clear guidance to all stakeholders about expectations and procedures.
Stakeholder Awareness
Parents and carers should be made aware of the policy so they can ensure their child clearly understands the seat belt rules and complies with them.
Legislative Knowledge
Schools must be fully up to date with seat belt legislation and know how safety belts are meant to be worn correctly.
Safety Risks
Incorrectly worn safety belts are a significant safety risk to the wearer and carry the same legal penalty as not wearing a belt at all.
Policy Document Requirements
A comprehensive seat belt policy document should include:
- Compulsory wearing requirements where belts are fitted
- Proper wearing procedures and guidance
- Enforcement procedures and consequences
- Training requirements for staff and students
- Regular review and update procedures
Traffic Movement in School Grounds
Managing traffic movement safely within school grounds requires careful planning and ongoing monitoring.
Essential Planning Elements
Site Layout Design
Design traffic flow patterns that separate pedestrians from vehicles wherever possible, with clear designated areas for different activities.
Timing Management
Coordinate arrival and departure times to minimise congestion and reduce the risk of incidents during peak periods.
Visibility Measures
Ensure adequate lighting and clear sight lines throughout the site, particularly around vehicle manoeuvring areas.
Pedestrian Protection
Implement physical barriers, designated walkways, and crossing points to protect pedestrians from vehicle movements.
Implementation Checklist
Physical Infrastructure
Operational Procedures
Zig Zag Markings Outside School Gates
Zig zag markings are in place to safeguard pupils when they are entering or leaving the school gate. The law requires NO PARKING or STOPPING to drop off.
Safety Purpose
Zig zag markings create a clear zone around school entrances where parking is prohibited, ensuring good visibility and safe passage for children entering and leaving school.
Dealing with Violations
Immediate Action Required
Where a school experiences unlawful parking on zig zags, the school should take immediate steps to have the cars removed. Motorists must never park on these markings. It is an offence to park on a zig zag. There can never be an excuse to break this safety law.
Never Acceptable
To ignore a problem with cars parking on zig zags, particularly when children are arriving or leaving school, would never be acceptable because it puts children's lives at risk.
Enforcement Actions
Immediate Response
Contact local authorities or police to have illegally parked vehicles removed as quickly as possible.
Documentation
Record incidents of illegal parking with dates, times, and photographic evidence where appropriate.
Communication
Inform parents and the wider community about the importance of zig zag markings and the safety risks of violation.
Ongoing Monitoring
Establish regular monitoring procedures to identify and address parking violations promptly.
Wheelchair Passengers
Passengers required to travel in their wheelchair need adequate transport with compatible tracking systems and specially trained staff.
Essential Requirements
Compatible Vehicles
Provide adequate transport where tracking systems are compatible with the specific wheelchair being used.
Risk Assessment
Conduct thorough risk assessments to establish which wheelchairs are compatible with vehicles and tracking systems.
Trained Staff
Ensure only properly trained staff handle loading, unloading, and securing of wheelchairs in vehicles.
Equipment Operation
Staff must be trained to operate ramps, tail lifts, tracking systems, and restraints safely and effectively.
Training Requirements
Loading and Unloading
- Safe positioning of vehicles
- Proper use of ramps and lifts
- Communication with passengers
- Manual handling techniques
Tracking Systems
- Compatibility assessment
- Proper securing procedures
- Safety check protocols
- System maintenance awareness
Emergency Procedures
- Evacuation procedures specific to wheelchair users
- Emergency communication protocols
- First aid considerations
- Emergency service coordination
Emergency Procedures
Specialised Emergency Planning
Emergency procedures should be in place for any unforeseen incidents, using staff that are specifically familiar with the evacuation of wheelchair passengers.
Contractor Verification
Ensuring you're working with a legitimate operator rather than a broker is crucial for safety and reliability.
Why Verification Matters
Working with registered operators provides legal protections, safety assurances, and financial security that brokers cannot offer. Verification prevents costly mistakes and safety risks.
Verification Checklist
Documentation Review
Key Questions to Ask
Red Flags to Watch For
BUSK Verification Service
Expert Assistance
If you're unsure about a contractor's credentials or need help with verification, contact BUSK for free expert assistance.
Phone: 07926 116631
Email: buskuk@btinternet.com
Cost vs Safety Considerations
Making the Right Choice
While cost is always a factor in school budgets, remember that the cheapest option often comes with the highest risks. Consider the potential costs of:
- Service failures and stranded pupils
- Legal liability for safety incidents
- Reputational damage to the school
- Emergency alternative transport arrangements
- Potential compensation claims