Transport Policy
When organizing transport for juniors to and from golf activities, the County will ensure that only suitable people are driving, and that the children are transported as safely as possible.
We have a Transport Policy that sets out how young people will be safeguarded when in transit, and parents, staff and volunteers should be aware and confirm where required they have read this policy.
Parents can ideally make their own arrangements for transport, whether they’re driving just their own children or carpooling, however if carpooling, they must adhere to the Guidelines listed below.
Transporting children As a County when we are responsibility for transport arrangements, we will address the following issues.
- Adults who are driving must be suitable in ability and conformance to UK Driving Standards and Rules.
- Organizers over the age of 70 cannot drive Mini Buses
- The driver should have appropriate insurance. This might necessitate contacting the insurance company to check they’re covered to drive in these circumstances.
- Parents must provide written consent for children to be transported by County representatives.
- Avoid transporting a child on their own. If this situation arises, the child should sit in the back of the car and the parents of the child are notified in advance of the circumstances and the adult driver obtains the approval of the child to transport the child in theses circumstances.
- Parents should be aware of times for collection and return..
- All parties should have the relevant emergency contact numbers.
- Children should wear seatbelts. They should have a booster seat if they are under 12 and less than 135cm tall.
Hiring transport When booking transport for an away fixture, we will ensure the transport provider adheres to the following:
- passenger safety;
- the competence of the driver and whether the driver holds an appropriate, valid license;
- the number of driving hours for the journey, and the length of the driver’s day, including non-driving hours;
- whether more than one driver is needed; Ideally one driver and one supervisor would be required
- the type of journey, traffic conditions, the weather, and appropriate insurance cover;
- the journey time and distance, and any stopping points;
- the supervision requirements;
- the suitability of transport if the team includes disabled golfers;
- the need for drivers to take breaks;
- emergency procedures.
Minibuses Ensure when we hire a minibus the provider assures us that the driver has received training for driving the vehicle and for the management of their passengers.
Legislation Remember:
- Vehicles must be appropriate and roadworthy.
- The driver is responsible for the vehicle during the trip.
- All minibuses and coaches carrying groups of three or more young people aged between 3 and 15 years must be fitted with a seatbelt for each young person.
- There must be an anchor point for wheelchair users.
- Appropriate booster seats must be fitted.
- Vehicles must conform with current no smoking legislation
Late collection There should be guidance in place for when a parent is late to collect a child from the agreed location. Parents and children should be aware of what will happen in these circumstances.
Having a register of all the children who are being transported makes it easier for a coach or junior organizer to establish when a child has not been collected.
The person holding the register should follow the guidelines to have the child safely collected.
If attempts to contact the parent and nominated emergency contact fail, then the supervising adult should wait with the child, with other staff, volunteers or parents wherever possible.
County members, and volunteers will avoid:
- taking the child home or to another location;
- waiting alone with the child in a vehicle or at the club;
- sending the child home with another person, without parental consent;
- leaving the child alone.
If all attempts fail the Local Police should be contacted for advice.
Prepared by Teg Bevan for the Glamorgan Golf Union Jan 2016
