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We all have a responsibility to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm and abuse. The Hackney carriage and private hire trade, particularly licensed drivers, and individuals working for private hire operators and taxi booking platforms are in a unique position to identify and help take steps to prevent the abuse, exploitation or neglect of children and vulnerable adults. By understanding early warning signs and knowing what to do when there are concerns that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk, those working as licensed drivers and wider trade can play a significant role in preventing harm and abuse.

In July 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) published its . These include a requirement that all licensing authorities should provide safeguarding guidance to the trade and should require taxi and private hire vehicle drivers to undertake safeguarding training. We have introduced this as mandatory part of the licensing process for new drivers, and all current licensed drivers must complete this no later than 30 September 2023.

In line with the DfT's Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards, we are offering taxi and private hire drivers and operators safeguarding awareness courses to help them understand the role that they play in the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. We require all current drivers, private hire operators and those applying for a new or renewal PHV driver licence to undertake the Safeguarding Awareness course. We also encourage staff working for private hire operators and taxi booking platforms to undertake this training. 

There is a choice of two webinars, provided remotely via Microsoft Teams, delivered by a professional as an interactive session. The course can be accessed on a laptop, desktop, tablet or mobile. The webinars cover a range of safeguarding issues, including:

• child sexual exploitation and abuse
• child criminal exploitation
• domestic abuse
• modern slavery, including County Lines operations
• radicalisation and extremism

The courses also look at how and why taxi drivers provide a vital service and an important contribution in protecting communities, especially vulnerable individuals who may be at risk of criminal exploitation.

On completion, licensees will be able to identify such incidences and feel confident in reporting concerns.

The training and mandatory assessment is available from two providers, West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and The Blue Lamp Trust. Drivers and operators need only book with one of the providers. The WSCC course is two hours long and costs £20. The Blue Lamp Trust course is two and three quarter hours long and costs £30.

Both courses can be booked on Eventbrite.

Choose one of the providers and follow the link to see available dates for the training on Eventbrite.  Note that there is only one in person course available, from WSCC.

Select the date and time you want to book and click the link. Click the button to check out, then fill in your name and contact details and choose to pay by card or PayPal.

You will receive a booking confirmation by email with your ticket. You will also be able to view the booking in Eventbrite if you have the app.

On the day, attend the training by clicking on the Teams link.

During the training you will be given instructions about completing a short assessment module following the webinar. A score of 80% or more is a pass. When you have completed both the webinar and the assessment module you will receive an email from the training provider. This is your certificate and proof of attendance and will be required by us as part of the conditions of your licence.