Child Protection Policy, Safe to Grow

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Children and young people should not be taken out in private cars without the prior consent of their parents. This also applies to giving lifts to and from a church activity.
If any leaders or helpers use their own cars for youth and children’s work, it is essential that they consult their insurers about such use and confirm this to the Church leadership.
Whoever makes the transport arrangements it is always the responsibility of the driver to ensure the vehicle is roadworthy and adequately insured.
Any driver who has an ‘unspent’ conviction for a driving offence should not transport children.
At no time should the number of children in a car exceed the usual passenger number. There must be a seat belt for every passenger and these must be worn.
There should be 2 adults in each car in which children are travelling and a minimum of 2 children. If, in an emergency, a driver has to transport one child on his or her own the child should sit in the back of the car and this should be recorded on an incident sheet. (see Appendix 3 Form D - Exceptional Circumstance Report)
Drivers who are not normal children’s/youth workers should be recruited for the task through the parish’s normal recruitment processes.

If a minibus is hired then motor insurance will need to be arranged and this should be available as part of the hiring arrangement. A minibus with seat belts should be used and all children/young people must have a proper seat. Some hire companies require evidence of a Midas Mini Bus test