Council consults on taxi driver safeguarding training
News release issued:
All taxi and private hire vehicle drivers in the Wyre Forest could soon have to complete safeguarding awareness training.
Wyre Forest District Council is consulting on plans to introduce training for all licensed drivers. The authority’s current Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy requires drivers applying for a licence for the first time to complete safeguarding awareness training. The Policy has recently been reviewed alongside additional consideration of the Department for Transport’s Statutory Guidance on Taxi and Private Hire Standards. Now the council is considering making the training mandatory for all existing licence holders.
The council is consulting with stakeholders on the proposal and would like to hear from people who use taxis and private hire vehicles as well as the trade. They would also like feedback from night-time economy groups.
Councillor Tracey Onslow, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts and Community Safety said:
“We introduced training for all new licenced drivers so they would be able to follow safeguarding advice to help identify issues such as the sexual exploitation of children and vulnerable individuals, helping them to know how to deal with these issues and report any concerns. We are now considering bringing in the training for all licenced drivers, but we want to hear what all stakeholders think about suggestion. If you use a taxi or private hire car please take a few minutes to fill in the survey.”
The survey can be completed by visiting the council's consultation webpage. It runs until 5pm on Tuesday 21 May 2024.