Table of Contents
1. Policy Statement
333 Cars Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who use our services. We recognise our responsibility to provide safe transport services and to ensure that all staff, drivers, and contractors understand their role in protecting passengers from harm, abuse, exploitation, neglect, and discrimination.
The safety and wellbeing of passengers will always be our primary consideration.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- Company directors and managers
- Licensed private hire drivers
- Booking and dispatch staff
- Administrative staff
- Contractors and agency workers
- Any individual acting on behalf of the company
3. Legal and Regulatory Framework
This policy is based on:
- Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.
- Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022.
- Relevant local authority licensing conditions.
- Data protection legislation and safeguarding guidance.
4. Definitions
Child
Any person under the age of 18.
Vulnerable Adult
A person aged 18 or over who may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, or exploitation due to age, illness, disability, mental health condition, or other circumstances.
5. Responsibilities
Management
Management will:
- Promote a culture of safeguarding.
- Ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place.
- Support reporting and investigation of concerns.
- Cooperate with licensing authorities, police, and safeguarding agencies.
Drivers
Drivers must:
- Treat all passengers with dignity and respect.
- Remain alert to signs of abuse, exploitation, neglect, or trafficking.
- Report safeguarding concerns immediately.
- Never engage in inappropriate conduct with passengers.
- Follow company and licensing authority safeguarding requirements.
Booking and Dispatch Staff
Staff must:
- Report concerns raised by passengers or drivers.
- Maintain accurate booking records.
- Escalate safeguarding concerns promptly.
6. Safer Recruitment and Vetting
333 Cars Ltd will:
- Verify licences and right-to-work documentation.
- Ensure drivers hold valid licences issued by the relevant licensing authority.
- Require appropriate DBS checks in accordance with licensing requirements.
- Maintain records of staff responsible for bookings and dispatch.
- Review suitability concerns promptly.
7. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns
Examples include:
- Unexplained injuries.
- Fearful, withdrawn, or distressed behaviour.
- Signs of neglect.
- Sexual exploitation indicators.
- Human trafficking indicators.
- Controlling behaviour by accompanying adults.
- Passengers appearing intoxicated, vulnerable, or unable to consent to decisions.
8. Reporting Concerns
Immediate Danger
If a child or vulnerable adult is at immediate risk:
- Call 999 immediately.
- Notify company management as soon as possible.
Non-Emergency Concerns
Staff should:
- Record factual observations.
- Avoid making assumptions.
- Report concerns to management immediately.
- Cooperate with police, local authority safeguarding teams, and licensing authorities.
9. Driver Conduct Standards
Drivers must not:
- Exchange personal contact details with children.
- Develop inappropriate relationships with passengers.
- Use discriminatory, abusive, or offensive language.
- Take photographs or recordings of passengers without lawful justification.
- Deviate from booked journeys without legitimate reason.
10. Training
333 Cars Ltd will ensure:
- Drivers receive safeguarding awareness training.
- Staff understand indicators of abuse and exploitation.
- Refresher training is undertaken periodically.
- New staff receive safeguarding induction training.
11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Information will be shared only where necessary to protect individuals or comply with legal obligations.
Records of safeguarding concerns will be:
- Accurate
- Secure
- Restricted to authorised personnel
12. Record Keeping
The company will maintain:
- Incident reports
- Safeguarding referrals
- Training records
- Relevant licensing and vetting records
13. Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:
- Legislation changes;
- Licensing requirements change; or
- A safeguarding incident indicates a need for revision.
Policy Owner: Managing Director, 333 Cars Ltd
Review Date: Annually