Taxi safeguarding
All licensed drivers and operators must have completed the safeguarding course by 22 December 2022.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk. We take our responsibilities seriously and expect all our licensed drivers, proprietors and operators to share this commitment.
Safety, security and welfare apply to the public, passengers and licensed drivers. It is expected that proprietors and operators must consider these factors when determining what safeguarding measures should be in place, in respect to this.
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding relates to the protection of an individual (child or adult) who is vulnerable.
Safeguarding means:
- protecting people from maltreatment
- preventing impairment of a person's health or development
- ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes
Who is responsible?
The action we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play.
Why are drivers involved?
You are the eyes and ears for our district. This matter cannot be dealt with solely by policing. By working in partnership with the police and other agencies, you can help to make a difference.
Child safeguarding & protection
Every child can be hurt, put at risk of harm, or abused, regardless of their age, gender, religion or ethnicity.
Abuse can be – physical, emotional (including domestic abuse), sexual, neglect, harm, or acts to prevent harm.
Abuse can be – in a family, institutional or community setting – by those who are known (more common) or unknown to the child, or by a stranger, for example, via the internet.
Abuser(s) can be – an adult, adults or another child or children.
Signs of abuse:
- Extreme anger or sadness
- Aggressive and attention-seeking behaviour
- Suspicious bruises with unsatisfactory explanations
- Lack of self-esteem
- Self-injury
- Depression
- Significant change in behaviour
- Age-inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
What is CSE?
CSE is a form of sexual abuse and it is against the law.
CSE affects boys and girls under the age of 18 – the young victim is given something (for example, food, money or drugs) in return for sexual activity with the abuser, or others.
Violence, physical coercion and intimidation can exist, but are not always present. Often, the child or young person has been manipulated and does not recognise the danger of the relationship, so does not realise they are a victim.
You may overhear or see something in your car that you are not happy with, or hear conversations at work between other drivers. Always listen to your gut instinct and report any concerns to the police.
Human trafficking
Human trafficking is a serious crime. A person is trafficked if they are brought (or moved around) a country by others who threaten, frighten or hurt them - or force them to do work or other things they don’t want to do, including sexual exploitation.
Domestic violence and abuse
Domestic abuse can be any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between family members, or people who are or have been intimate partners, regardless of gender. This includes forced marriage and abuse within same-sex relationships.
Domestic abuse is very common and affects 1 in 4 women in their lifetime. Although most victims of domestic abuse are women and most abusers are men, domestic abuse can affect anyone. Domestic abuse is a pattern of controlling and aggressive behaviour that is used to maintain power and exert control over victims. It occurs across society, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth, and geography, and has strong links with child abuse.
Hate Crime
A hate crime is any crime targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s:
- Disability
- Race or ethnicity
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Transgender identity
- Alternative subculture
This can be committed against a person or property.
A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.