Safeguarding Policy (Children & Vulnerable Persons)

Landmark Coaches Limited and Landmark Vehicle Hire Limited are committed to ensuring the safety, welfare, and dignity of all children and vulnerable persons who use our transport services. We recognise our duty of care under the Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018), the Care Act 2014, together with relevant UK transport legislation and guidance from local authorities.

We will take all reasonable steps to prevent harm, respond appropriately to concerns, and promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• All employees, including drivers, operations staff, cleaners, mechanics, and management
• Agency staff, contractors, and volunteers
• Any person acting on behalf of Landmark Coaches Limited or Landmark Vehicle Hire Limited

It covers all services involving:

• School transport
• Private hires involving children or vulnerable adults
• Home‑to‑school contracts
• Day centre and care home transport
• Youth groups, sports clubs, and community organisations

Definitions

• Safeguarding: Protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Child: Anyone under the age of 18 years
• Vulnerable Person / Adult at Risk
  • An adult aged 18+ who:
    • Requires care or support
    • Is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation
    • May be affected by disability, illness, age, mental health, or social circumstances

Types of Abuse

Staff must be aware of the following forms of abuse:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional and/or Psychological abuse
• Sexual abuse or exploitation
• Neglect or self neglect
• Financial or material abuse
• Discriminatory abuse
• Organisational abuse
• Online or digital exploitation

Roles and Responsibilities

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Stephen Briggs-King (General Manager)

Responsible for:

• Receiving and recording safeguarding concerns
• Liaising with local authorities, schools, and care providers
• Ensuring staff training and compliance
• Maintaining safeguarding records securely

All Staff

Must:

• Prioritise safety and wellbeing
• Report concerns immediately
• Follow company procedures
• Maintain professional boundaries
• Treat all passengers with dignity and respect

Recruitment and Vetting

Stephen Briggs-King will:

• Conduct enhanced DBS checks for all drivers and staff working with children or vulnerable persons
• Verify identity, references, and employment history
• Provide safeguarding induction training before duties commence
• Maintain a safer recruitment process in line with UK guidance

Training

All staff will receive:

• Safeguarding awareness training
• Annual refresher training
• Additional training for DSLs
• Guidance on recognising abuse, reporting concerns, and maintaining professional conduct

Code of Conduct for Staff

Staff must:

• Act professionally at all times
• Avoid being alone with a child or vulnerable person where possible
• Never touch a passenger inappropriately
• Never use abusive, discriminatory, or aggressive language
• Never give personal contact details to passengers
• Never transport passengers off the agreed route or without authorisation
• Report any safeguarding concern immediately

Transport Procedures

• Boarding and Alighting
• Ensure safe, supervised boarding
• Provide assistance only when necessary and appropriate
• Use seatbelts and ensure compliance with legal requirements
• Passenger Supervision
• Maintain awareness of passenger behaviour
• Report bullying, distress, or unusual behaviour
• Ensure vulnerable passengers are not left unattended

Missing or Uncollected Passengers

If a child or vulnerable person is not collected:

• Keep them safely on the vehicle
• Inform the school, care provider, or organiser
• Contact the DSL
• Never leave the passenger alone or with an unauthorised adult

Reporting Concerns

Staff must report immediately if they:

• Witness abuse
• Suspect abuse
• Receive a disclosure
• Observe concerning behaviour
• Have a “gut feeling” something is wrong

Reporting Procedure:

• Ensure the immediate safety of the person
• Report to the DSL as soon as possible
• Record the concern factually (time, date, what was said/seen)
• Do not investigate or question the individual
• DSL will escalate to:
  • Local Authority Safeguarding Team
  • Police (if immediate danger)
  • School or care provider safeguarding lead

Confidentiality and Record Keeping

• All safeguarding records will be stored securely
• Information will be shared only on a needtoknow basis
• Staff must never promise confidentiality to a child or vulnerable person

Whistle blowing

Landmark Coaches Limited and Landmark Vehicle Hire Limited encourages staff to report concerns about colleagues or unsafe practices.

We follow the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 and ensure:

• No victimisation
• Confidential reporting routes
• Immediate investigation of concerns

Partnership Working

We work closely with:

• Local authorities
• Schools and colleges
• Care homes and day centres
• Community groups
• Police and safeguarding boards

Our aim is to ensure consistent, safe, and coordinated safeguarding practices.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually
• After any safeguarding incident
• In line with changes to legislation or best practice