Safe Working Arrangements For The Journey

Ensuring the safety of students during school journeys is a top priority for ETS Surrey Ltd. Our company
has implemented a variety of comprehensive safe working arrangements to ensure a secure and reliable transportation experience for all passengers. Here is an overview of the key measures we have in place:
Driver/PA Training and Certification: All of our drivers and passenger assistants undergo rigorous training programs and are required to maintain up-to-date certifications. This ensures that they are well-equipped to handle various scenarios, always prioritising the safety and well-being of students.

Drivers

Before starting a Home to School contract, it is essential to have a valid driver/PA badge for the School run, which has to be issued by the Surrey County Council.
Students utilising home-to-school Transport have Special Educational Needs, which may encompass learning, language, emotional, or behavioural challenges. It is crucial to maintain a friendly yet professional demeanour and a sensitive approach towards both the student and their family or caregivers.
If a responsible adult is not present to accept the young person at the home address and no one arrives after a reasonable amount of time, you should be prepared to accompany them for the rest of the journey before returning to the home address. It is important to report the incident to the ETS office, school, or Home to School Transport.

We would ask you as drivers to;

Before conducting Home to School Transport routes, it is imperative that you have obtained the necessary clearance from the Disclosure & Barring Scheme (DBS) and have been issued a Surrey County Council badge. It is mandatory to wear this badge at all times during transportation.
Before beginning any Home to School Transport work, it is essential to have a valid Driver/PA (Passenger Assistant) certification.
Please ensure that you have completed the online Safeguarding Training Course and the health and safety training required for passenger assistants.
Never drive a vehicle that you believe is not roadworthy. It is important to prioritise safety and ensure that the vehicle you are operating is in proper working condition before hitting the road. Driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy can put yourself and others at risk.
Make sure to perform a daily inspection of your vehicle, paying close attention to the tires and lights.
Please notify our office if you are experiencing any challenges with the timing or logistics of the route.
Always approach each pick-up point and school cautiously and attentively. It is important to allow the young person to safely board and exit the vehicle from the sidewalk.
It is important to familiarise yourself with and be aware of any specific issues that a young person may be facing. By doing so, you will be better equipped to assist them if necessary.
Always ensure that the doors remain closed until the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
It is imperative that young individuals are never permitted to operate the doors or any other mechanical or electrical equipment on the vehicle, such as the windows. This is crucial for the safety and well-being of all passengers on board.
Do not operate the vehicle until all passengers are seated and have securely fastened their seatbelts.
Prior to moving the vehicle, always ensure that all young individuals are clear from its vicinity. It is imperative to never prompt them to cross a road directly in front of or behind the vehicle.
Please ensure that you cooperate with school staff at all times regarding parking arrangements and the arrival and departure of students on school grounds. For more information on arrival and departure procedures, please contact your office of ETS.
Before operating the vehicle, it is essential to familiarise yourself with all the safety equipment on board and ensure that it is used correctly.
To maintain a smoke-free environment, smoking of any kind, including electronic cigarettes, is strictly prohibited during the delivery of this service.
It is important to note that using a handheld mobile phone while driving is considered a serious offence.
It is imperative to never leave a young person unattended in a vehicle.
Never offer any young person food, drinks, or gifts.
Please switch off your engines when assisting passengers into your vehicle on school premises (unless this affects a tail lift or other essential electronic equipment within the vehicle).
It is essential to adhere to and fully comprehend the Safe Touch Policy implemented by ETS Surrey Ltd, as well as other relevant policies that outline your responsibilities as a driver/Personal Assistant (PA).
It is imperative that you refrain from engaging in personal communication, such as email, telephone calls, text messages, or social media interactions, with young individuals while in your vehicle. This practice is not only unprofessional but also poses a potential risk to both yourself and the passengers. It is crucial to maintain a professional demeanour and focus on the task at hand while driving, ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.

Escorts

ETS Surrey Ltd hires escorts to provide transportation services. To ensure high-quality service, certain guidelines are in place. Escorts must obtain certificates for health and safety, as well as complete safeguarding courses. Additionally, escorts are required to possess a valid Surrey County Council badge and wear it at all times while fulfilling the Surrey County Council School Transport Contracts.

The students utilising Surrey County Council School Transport have Special Educational Needs, including learning, language, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. Therefore, it is crucial to interact with them in a friendly and sensitive manner.
As an organisation committed to the safety of young people, we kindly request that you take measures to ensure their safe travels. You can assist by:

Keeping all doors closed until the vehicle is at a complete standstill.
Not allowing passengers to open or close the doors.
Ensuring that all pupils are clear of the vehicle and cannot return for left luggage.
Assisting parents to help passengers board the vehicle.
Preventing the young people from crossing the road directly in front of or behind the vehicle.
Closing all doors and ensuring passengers are seated and that seatbelts are fastened, before the driver moves off.
Stowing all luggage safely, not in the aisles.
Never engage in personal e-mail, telephone, text or social media contact with young people in your vehicle.

It is imperative to never leave a young person unattended. If necessary, seek assistance from others. Please be aware that it is not your responsibility to knock on parents’ doors. It is crucial to always stay with the young people in the vehicle.

We would ask that you:

It is crucial to effectively manage behaviour while on the vehicle. Young passengers should never be removed from the vehicle under any circumstances. Instead, any incidents of unacceptable behaviour or inappropriate language should be promptly reported to the ETS Office, school authorities, parents or caregivers, and the Surrey County Council School Transport Service. This proactive approach ensures that appropriate action can be taken to address the issue and maintain a safe and respectful environment for all passengers.

It is important to always maintain a courteous and professionally detached relationship with young individuals. Avoid discussing inappropriate topics and using inappropriate language. Additionally, refrain from giving or receiving gifts in this context.

It is important to familiarise yourself with the specific issues that young people may face in order to effectively address any problems that may arise. If you feel that you need additional training, please communicate this with ETS Surrey Ltd so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

There must be No Smoking at any time during the delivery of this service

If a responsible adult is not present to receive a young person at home and no one arrives after a reasonable amount of time, be prepared to transport them for the rest of the journey before returning to their home address. Please notify the ETS Office immediately so that we can locate the parents or caregivers.

By implementing these measures, ETS Surrey Ltd can help ensure the safe and respectful transportation of children with a history of violence, prioritising the well-being of the child and others involved.