Mandatory safeguarding training for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers

Wyre Forest District Council is responsible for issuing licences in respect of drivers of hackney carriage (taxi’s) and private hire vehicles.

In July 2020, with a view to better protecting children and vulnerable adults, the Department for Transport (DfT) issued  statutory guidance to taxi and private hire licensing authorities, called the Statutory taxi and private hire vehicle standards - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

These standards set out a framework of policies that licensing authorities “must have regard to” when exercising their functions. These functions include developing, implementing, and reviewing their taxi and private hire vehicle licensing regimes.

In response to the publication of the Statutory Standards, the council reviewed, consulted on, and published a new Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Policy (worcsregservices.gov.uk), which took effect on 1^st September 2022.

The new policy introduced a requirement for any person applying to Wyre Forest for a “new” driver’s licence, to undertake safeguarding awareness training.

Following a recent review of the policy, and having further regard to the statutory standards, consideration is now being given to the introduction of mandatory safeguarding awareness training for all existing licence holders.

The council would therefore like to hear the views from all relevant stakeholders on the above proposal of making safeguarding mandatory for all taxi drivers and introducing refresher training upon the renewal of licence. The council would like to hear from not only the taxi and private hire vehicle trades, but also groups likely to be the trades’ customers including relevant interest groups representing people with disabilities, Chambers of Commerce, organisations with a wider transport interest, women’s groups, local traders, and those organisations that represent the local multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.

The council believe it would also be helpful to hear the views of night-time economy groups as the taxi and private hire trades are an important element of dispersal from the local night-time economy’s activities and from members of the local community who make use of taxi and private hire vehicle services in the area.

The closing date of this consultation is 21 May 2024