Agenda item

Mick Sims, Licensing Manager, proposed the introduction of mandatory safeguarding training for all Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers and Operators.

Following a number of recent high profile safeguarding issues involving Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Drivers, with particular reference to Child Sexual Exploitation, the Slough Licensing Team was reviewing how best to fulfil its primary role of ensuring the protection, safety and wellbeing of the public.

To this end, and in line with other authorities such as Scarborough Council, it was proposed that Slough introduce mandatory safeguarding training covering such topics as safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, making referrals, signposting to relevant agencies, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation and ‘hate and mate’ crime for all Drivers and Operators.

The training package and method of training was still to be determined and formally consulted on, but could comprise several large-scale sessions with refreshers every 2/3 years. Notice of the proposed training had been given to license holders via the most recent Taxi and Private Hire Newsletter.

In addition to the mandatory training, the Licensing team was proposing the introduction of a ‘Licensing Hotline’ where information could be passed confidentially to officers by all license holders.

Members sought clarity on how the training would be enforced, and what the consequences of failing to attend would be. Officers advised that this was still to be reviewed, and further detail would be brought to a future Licensing Committee Meeting.

It was also confirmed that the attendance of Members at the training would be  welcomed.

Members were supportive of the proposed training, and were mindful that the protection of the public was of paramount importance and that the Drivers of Slough were an important resource available to help uphold this objective.

Resolved -   That mandatory safeguarding training be introduced for all Hackney Carriage and private Hire Drivers and Operators and that the Trade to be consulted on the arrangements for such introduction.