Safeguarding Policy

Hedge End Taxi Ltd, trading as Himalaya Cars, is committed to safeguarding the welfare of every child and adult at risk who comes into contact with our drivers, vehicles and services. We recognise that the private hire trade has been identified nationally as a high-risk environment for the exploitation and abuse of children and vulnerable adults, and we are committed to playing our part in preventing this, in line with the expectations of Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council as our licensing authorities.

This policy applies to all directors, employees, drivers and sub-contractors engaged by the company, however that engagement is structured, and to every journey undertaken under the Himalaya Cars name.

1. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is written to meet the standards set out in:

• The Policing and Crime Act 2017 (Section 177), under which the Department for Transport's Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards (July 2020) are issued.
• The Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Safeguarding and Road Safety) Act 2022, including the National Register of Taxi Licence Refusals, Revocations and Suspensions (NR3S).
• The Children Act 1989 and 2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government).
• The Care Act 2014 (Section 42), which defines an adult at risk as someone who has needs for care and support, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves as a result of their needs.
• UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, as set out in our Data Protection Policy.
• The licensing policies and conditions of Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council, including requirements for enhanced DBS checks, approved safeguarding training, and NR3S checks for all licensed drivers and operators.

2. Scope and Definitions

• A child is anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.
• An adult at risk (vulnerable adult) is an adult who has needs for care and support, is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and who is unable to protect themselves because of those needs, in line with the Care Act 2014.
• Abuse may be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or through neglect, and includes child sexual exploitation (CSE), criminal exploitation (including 'county lines'), modern slavery, and radicalisation.

3. Designated Safeguarding Lead

The company has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) with overall responsibility for this policy, for responding to concerns, and for liaising with the licensing authority and statutory agencies.

Designated Safeguarding Lead: [Name to be inserted]

Contact: 023 8001 1828 / office@himalayacars.co.uk

In the DSL's absence, concerns should be raised with a company director without delay. Every driver and member of staff must know who the current DSL is.

4. Driver Recruitment and Vetting

Before any driver undertakes work for Himalaya Cars, the company will ensure that:

• An Enhanced DBS check has been obtained, and the driver is subscribed to the DBS Update Service for the duration of their engagement, with checks refreshed at least every 6 months in line with Southampton City Council requirements.
• The driver holds a current, valid private hire driver's licence issued by Southampton City Council, Hampshire County Council, or another licensing authority as appropriate, and that this is checked against the NR3S database.
• The driver has completed an approved, classroom-based or live virtual-classroom safeguarding awareness course (e.g. Blue Lamp Trust or an equivalent provider approved by the licensing authority). E-learning-only courses are not accepted.
• A right to work check and, where applicable, a certificate of good conduct for time spent living outside the UK, has been obtained.
• References and a full driving history check have been completed, and the driver is assessed as a 'fit and proper person' to hold a licence.

5. Ongoing Training and Awareness

• All drivers must complete refresher safeguarding training at intervals set by the licensing authority, and whenever the company or licensing authority updates its requirements.
• Training covers recognising and responding to child sexual exploitation (CSE), criminal exploitation and 'county lines' activity, domestic abuse, modern slavery, and disability and communication awareness.
• The DSL will cascade any safeguarding bulletins or alerts issued by Southampton City Council, Hampshire County Council, the Southampton Safeguarding Children Partnership, or the Hampshire Safeguarding Adults Board to all drivers.

6. Recognising Signs of Abuse, Exploitation or Risk

Drivers are trained to be alert to, and to report, signs which may include:

• A child or young person travelling alone, late at night, or in the company of adults who are not their parent or carer without a clear and reasonable explanation.
• Passengers who appear frightened, intimidated, controlled by another passenger, or reluctant to speak freely.
• Signs of physical injury, distress, intoxication, or being under the influence of drugs, particularly in a child or young person.
• Passengers carrying quantities of cash, multiple mobile phones, or packages inconsistent with their circumstances, which may indicate criminal exploitation or 'county lines' activity.
• Repeated bookings for the same child or vulnerable adult to unusual addresses or at unusual times.

A driver does not need to be certain that abuse or exploitation is taking place to raise a concern. If in doubt, report it.

7. Safe Journey Procedures

• Drivers must not transport an unaccompanied child under the age of 14 unless this has been agreed in advance with a parent or responsible adult, in line with our Terms and Conditions.
• A child or adult at risk must only be dropped off at the agreed destination and, where the booking specifies, handed into the care of a named responsible adult. A driver should not leave a child or a visibly vulnerable adult at an unattended or unsafe location.
• Drivers must not accept requests to alter a booked destination for a child passenger without verifying this with the parent, carer, or booker.
• Where a vehicle is fitted with CCTV or GPS tracking, this is used in line with our Data Protection Policy to support passenger safety and to assist any subsequent investigation.

8. Reporting a Concern

Internal reporting

• Any driver, member of staff, or passenger with a safeguarding concern must report it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible, and in any event within 24 hours.
• If a child or adult is in immediate danger, call 999 first, then inform the DSL.

External reporting

• Emergency (immediate danger): 999
• Police (non-emergency): 101
• Southampton Children's Services / LADO (concerns about a person in a position of trust): 023 8091 5535, or email LADO@southampton.gov.uk
• Hampshire Children's Services (Allegations Officer): 01962 876364
• Hampshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (Children's Services): 0300 555 1384 (office hours) / 0300 555 1371 (out of hours)
• Southampton Adult Social Care: 023 8083 3003 (office hours) / 023 8023 3344 (out of hours)
• Hampshire Adults' Health and Care: 0300 555 1386 (office hours) / 0300 555 1373 (out of hours)
• Southampton City Council Licensing Team: for concerns about a driver's licence or conduct.
• NSPCC Helpline (advice on a child protection concern): 0808 800 5000

9. Allegations Against a Driver or Member of Staff

Any allegation made against a driver or member of staff will be reported to the relevant Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) without delay and in any event within 24 hours. The individual concerned may be suspended from undertaking further bookings while the matter is investigated, and the company will notify Southampton City Council or Hampshire County Council (as the licensing authority) where required. The company will co-operate fully with the police, the licensing authority, and children's or adult social care throughout any investigation.

10. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Personal data relating to a safeguarding concern will be handled in line with our Data Protection Policy. Information will only be shared with those who need to know, but where there is a risk of harm to a child or adult at risk, information may be shared with the police, the licensing authority, or children's or adult social care without consent, in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

11. Monitoring and Review

This policy is owned by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner if there is a change in legislation, licensing authority requirements, or following any safeguarding incident. It should be read alongside our Data Protection Policy, Privacy Policy, and Terms and Conditions.

This policy reflects the safeguarding expectations of Southampton City Council and Hampshire County Council at the time of writing. As local licensing policies are reviewed periodically, this document should be checked against the current published policy of the relevant licensing authority.