Generic Risk Assessment: Visits to Large Towns Or Cities

GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT: TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE (e.g. leader or parent car)

Significant HAZARDS CONTROL MEASURES and PRECAUTIONS that staff agree to adopt as their normal practice Likely places/ways that people Discuss with all staff that help lead visits using this type of transport. Consider the suggested measures below, and tick those that you could be seriously harmed decide are helpful and applicable, and delete or put a cross against those that are not. Add extra measures in each section as needed.

All accidents/ emergencies  This risk assessment will be read and completed in addition to the generic risk assessments “All Educational Visits” and “All Travel” and “All Overseas Visits” (if applicable) which give general safety guidance applicable to all visits. All accidents/ emergencies The school/establishment will check and obtain prior written assurance from each driver that:  their car is appropriately insured (including business use if driver is employed by LA)  their insurance company has been informed of and agreed to intended use  their car has been serviced regularly and is in good roadworthy condition  their car has a current MOT certificate  they have suitable vehicle breakdown/roadside assistance cover (or other appropriate provision is made) 

The school/establishment will brief the driver and ensure that:  the journey is planned carefully beforehand to ensure that sufficient time is given (allowing for comfort stops, and possible delays) to ensure that there is no pressure to rush  sufficient account is taken of weather forecasts, traffic reports, and intended rest stops in planning the journey  the route will be planned to avoid high risk situations – e.g. avoid rush hours, narrow/dangerous roads, steep gradients  the journey will be postponed or cancelled if weather or traffic conditions are considered too hazardous  the school/establishment will ensure that parents are fully informed and give prior consent to planned arrangements involving use of private vehicles and volunteers  drivers are made aware of required procedures in the event of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or incident  drivers have mobile phones and emergency contact details to notify the school managers and other visit leaders  Child abuse Prior to a volunteer driver taking young people in their car, the school/establishment will make all reasonable and appropriate checks to ensure that young people are not at risk of harm from the driver, including:  requesting personal references of occasional/one-off volunteers who are unknown to the group leader  requesting a DBS check on any volunteer who will have regular unsupervised contact with young people  placing a second adult to accompany the main driver as an escort  briefing the driver and other accompanying adults regarding reasonable conduct and acceptable behaviour  requesting volunteers to read and sign an agreed “Code of Behaviour and Safe Conduct” (see Visit Guidance VGA 5.1)  requesting a written statement of assurance that the driver has no previous convictions or ongoing investigations regarding offences against young people  placing groups of young people in a vehicle together who live close-by to each other to minimise the potential risks associated of transporting children alone  making prior arrangements to ensure that young people do not need to be transported alone   1 Initial Risk Assessment carried out by (Name): Taff Bowles (Position): ERYC Educational Visits Officer Date: 01/09/2013 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT: TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE (e.g. leader or parent car)

Driver error  Traffic The school/establishment will check (see Appendix VGA 12.1 – “Volunteer Driver Agreement Form”) and ensure that each accident driver:  is aged 25 years or over  is an experienced driver who has held a full driving licence for at least 2 years  has not had past convictions (in the last 5 years), and are not facing impending prosecution, for any significant driving offences (e.g. drink driving)  is healthy and fit to drive 

The school/establishment will ensure that the driver is aware of and agrees to implement the following LA guidance (see Visits Guidance VGA 12.1 - “Volunteer Driver Agreement” form):  to share the driving with an accompanying adult on longer journeys (essential for journeys over 100 miles) Driver error  Traffic  to adhere to strict working/driving hours and rest periods (see LA Visits Guidance VG section 12 - Transport) accident  not to drive if feeling too tired or unwell to drive safely  not to drive if under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication  not to use a mobile phone or radio in the car unless the car is stationary or the equipment is fully “hands–free” operated.  to adhere to national speed limits and the highway code  to drive in a responsible and sensible manner  to choose safe locations, away from busy traffic, for passengers to get in/out of car (e.g. car park, onto wide pavement)  to check and ensure that seat belts are fitted correctly on all young people before departure  Defective Car The school/establishment will check (see Appendix VGA 12.1 – “Volunteer Driver Agreement Form”) and obtain prior written Traffic accident assurance from the driver that:  their car has a current MOT and is in roadworthy condition  their car has sufficient capacity for each passenger to have their own seat and own seatbelt  if younger children are being transported, child-safe locks are operational on the doors to ensure that they cannot be opened accidentally  if younger/smaller children are being transported, appropriate booster seats are fitted correctly and used for each child (as per legal requirements)  their car is fitted with fully operational seatbelts (ideally 3 point) for each person 

2 Initial Risk Assessment carried out by (Name): Taff Bowles (Position): ERYC Educational Visits Officer Date: 01/09/2013 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT: TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE (e.g. leader or parent car)

Misbehaviour in car The school/establishment will ensure that: Disturbs driver  young people who are likely to present challenging behaviour are appropriately supervised by staff who are aware of and concentration  Accident capable of handling their behaviour  volunteer drivers are informed beforehand of any individuals who might present challenging or difficult behaviour, and are considered sufficiently capable of dealing safely and appropriately with any disruptive behaviour  a second adult accompanies the main driver on long journeys, or with young people who might be disruptive, in order to maintain good order, ensure young people keep seat belts on, and attend to any needs  the group leader will place groups of young people together who get along well, thus minimising the risk of disruption and conflict  young people are briefed beforehand regarding required conduct/behaviour  young people are briefed not to open vehicle windows without permission, and not to place hands/heads out of open windows  young people are briefed not to throw anything inside or from the vehicle, or to make signs to passing road users  Illness in car The school/establishment will ensure that:  the driver will be informed of any significant medical conditions (including propensity for travel sickness) and relevant medication carried  any travel sickness equipment is provided  young people will be briefed to eat/drink sensibly  In event of accident or The school/establishment will instruct drivers: breakdown  if breakdown or accident occurs, to evacuate all passengers away from passenger side of vehicle to safe resting place (beyond side barrier if possible), well away from passing vehicles Further collision  if above is not possible, to instruct passengers to sit on side of vehicle furthest from moving traffic and remain wearing seat belts  to issue high visibility jackets to all passengers if they are required to wait near the roadside  Additional hazards?  Additional precautions? 

3 Initial Risk Assessment carried out by (Name): Taff Bowles (Position): ERYC Educational Visits Officer Date: 01/09/2013 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT: TRAVEL BY PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLE (e.g. leader or parent car)

Staff Agreement: “I have read and understood this risk assessment, and I agree to adopt as standard the control measures and precautions stated above

Staff name Job title Sept 2013 – 14 Sept 2014 – 15 Sept 2015 – 16 Sept 2016 – 17 Sept 2017 – 18 (continue list overleaf if required) (Initials/date) (Initials/date) (Initials/date) (Initials/date) (Initials/date) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.

Generic Risk Assessments  Purpose - to encourage staff to identify likely hazards, agree good practice, and apply consistent standards. Follow suggested procedure below (or similar):  Select and print off - all relevant and helpful forms (according to the type of visits and activities normally organised during the year) – others (e.g. that apply to one-off visits) can be added later if required.  How many? - one set of forms for small staff teams - or one set per department for large staff teams.  Complete draft forms - initially by one or two staff with appropriate experience;  Staff meeting 1 - introduce and leave draft forms in a file for all relevant staff (i.e. those who organise or help lead such visits) to inspect and consider over a short period (e.g. a week).  Staff meeting 2 - discuss, amend, and agree main hazards and standard practice with all relevant staff (add names and initials in table below to indicate acceptance).  Staff members who cannot agree with the general consensus should complete their own risk assessment, but this must be agreed and approved by the Headteacher/Manager.  Check and approve - by line manager/head of dept and/or visits coordinator (add approval signatures in table below).  Store - in a marked file in a clearly known and accessible place (e.g. staff room or dept office).  How often? - forms that apply to all visits (e.g. “All Educational Visits”) or to regular/frequent visits (e.g. “Visits to Museums” ) should be completed once, then reviewed, amended, signed and dated annually.  Additional forms - that apply to occasional/one-off visits (e.g. “Overseas Visits”) can be completed when required – these should be reviewed, amended, signed and dated whenever such visits are planned.  Keep familiar- with the agreed practice, and refer to forms as a reminder before visits if necessary (especially for activities that are less frequent or familiar to staff).  New leaders and volunteers - should be asked to read all relevant forms and add their signed agreement before assisting with the organisation or leadership of a visit.  Review and amend - by all relevant staff annually (or more often if necessary), and immediately if new hazards are identified or new precautions deemed necessary.  Stop - this type of visit/activity if the level of risk is considered unmanageable and unacceptable.  Flexibility - may be acceptable on occasion, if staff can reasonably justify their actions.  Specific Visit Risk Assessment - is also required for each visit to address any extra issues relevant to the specific site/group/activities involved. 4 Initial Risk Assessment carried out by (Name): Taff Bowles (Position): ERYC Educational Visits Officer Date: 01/09/2013