In June 2023, the Department for Education published updated statutory guidance on 'Travel to school for children of compulsory school age'. I want to find out how the local authority is implementing the guidance.

1. 'Local authorities should ensure that drivers and passenger assistants working on dedicated school transport have undertaken appropriate training and that this is kept up to date. It is for the local authority to decide what training is required, how it will be delivered and how often it should be refreshed.'

Are you using an external provider to provide training or is it being provided internally? If internal, which team is delivering this training? If external, are you using an accredited training provider?
For our course we use an external provider and they are accredited.

2. How regularly is the training reviewed and refreshed?
Continually reviewed. Refreshed when needed and no later than every three years.

3. Which job role within the local authority is responsible for deciding which training will be used?
It is not the responsibility of a single job role. Safeguarding is currently being reviewed and any requirements the next refresh will be approved by the safeguarding board as well as any other teams impacted.

4. How are meet and greet sessions between transport providers and passengers monitored?
We don’t monitor these as a single event.

5. How much budget is allocated to safeguarding training for school transport providers?
This is a contract requirement and all training is paid for by the providers themselves. Providers have to show certificates for each individual member of transport staff to demonstrate that they have received the relevant training prior to working on contracts.