Child Safety in Vehicles
The DCSF is fully aware that there are many new changes to legislation around
children in vehicles. Any organisation or individual who carries other
people's children has a legal duty to ensure they carry them safely, thus
called their Duty of Care.
The Department's aim on this web page is to make you aware of the liability and offer access to information in addressing these risks. In the Guidance for Procurement for Pupil Transport which is due out in September, the DCSF will offer more advice on procuring the items needed for safe transportation.
To ensure this guidance addresses everyone's needs, it is seeking input from schools and local authorities on their requirements. If you would like to provide any information about your activities or concerns you can email the DCSF here.
There is a summary of the information that is available from RoSPA and other leading authorities in this area. This is to be used as a guide when procuring services for transporting pupils or as advice to parents and teachers who, on a volunteer basis, transport children on your behalf.
Every year around 25 children under 12 years old are killed and 8000 injured while travelling in cars in Great Britain. Many of these deaths and injuries are attributable to the baby seats, child seats or booster seats and their unsuitability or lack of use, and whether or not they are securely fitted. Seat belts alone are less effective for children because they are designed for adults. To ensure that this duty of care is addressed and risk assessed any organisation that transports children must have a safe system to ensure:
- its drivers are fit and competent
- vehicles are safe and suitable
- passengers are carried safely
- journeys are properly planned.
Please follow the links below for specific information on:
Insurance
Organisations should declare in writing to their insurers that they carry children in their vehicles, and keep a copy of relevant paperwork with their insurance documents.
If you have any queries or would like to provide any information about your activities or concerns, you can email the Department here.
Further information can be found here.
Last updated: 16 June 2008
