In June 2023, the Department for Education published updated statutory guidance on ‘Travel to school for children of compulsory school age’. I am submitting the following Freedom of Information request to find out how the local authority is implementing the guidance. Please can you provide information on the following:
1. 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?
Devon County Council (DCC) have mandatory online training for all drivers and escorts in place that they must complete prior to DCC issuing an ID badge that is issued in line with their DBS checks. The online training modules were developed internally, however, we use an external host provider that is accredited to DCC.
2. How regularly is the training reviewed and refreshed?
The training is constantly reviewed in line with any updates and amendments. It is refreshed every three years for the online modules but every year for any specials training such as suction or epilepsy.
3. Which job role within the local authority is responsible for deciding which training will be used?
Head of operations Transport Co-ordination Service.
4. How are meet and greet sessions between transport providers and passengers monitored?
The Passenger escort Supervisor and the SEN specialist transport team organise the meet and greets and monitor as required.
5. How much budget is allocated to safeguarding training for school transport providers?
We train and retrain around 1500 drivers and escorts a year at £4.00 per license that covers the training each year which is around £6,000 per annum. The Safeguarding module is costed out at around £600.00.