Vehicles Procedures

1. Drivers

  1.1. All drivers are responsible for reporting any damage or problems with the operation of/to vehicles immediately at the end of the journey or sooner if practical. Any damage should be reported: 

1.1.1. To your line manager to record as an incident either in person or to the email address transport@carerschoices.org.  

1.1.2. Details must be given of the actual damage with a photograph 

1.1.3. The location and time when the incident occurred must be included

  1.2. A Departmental Manager will record and assess the incident to decide whether the Driver should continue to drive or not. 

  1.3. It is your legal responsibility to ensure that your driving licence is up to date, has not expired and your line manager is notified of any restrictions, additional points or driving offences. 

  1.4. On an annual basis, Carers Choices will check driving convictions directly with the DVLA.

  1.5. It is also your responsibility for the cost of any speeding fines or other driving offences that may be incurred whilst you are driving the vehicle. Parking ticket charges are the joint responsibility of the driver and any escorts on the vehicle.

  1.6. If you feel unwell or experience anything that will impair your driving ability you must not drive or if driving immediately stop the vehicle safely and telephone the office for assistance. 

  1.7. No food must be consumed in the vehicle. 

  1.8. A Carers Choices ID badge must be always worn. 

  1.9. The Driver is responsible for the safe passage of clients. 

  1.10. The Driver will assist the Escort to ensure all ambulant clients are safely wearing seatbelts.  

  1.11. The Driver will assist the Escort to ensure all wheelchair users are safely strapped into the floor tracking of the vehicles and wearing suitable seatbelts.   

  1.12. No other persons shall be ‘given a lift’ on vehicles.  Only the authorised Driver, Escort and clients shall be on the vehicle.

  1.13. All vehicles have a Telematics system that records journeys for the protection of Drivers, Escorts and clients. As well as capturing video externally and internally it will also profile harsh braking, excessive acceleration and speeding. 

  1.14. All Drivers are issued with a fob to operate vehicles. These must not be given or shared with anyone. If the fob is lost a £10 charge applies irrespective of whether it is replaced or not. 

  1.15. All Drivers are responsible for the vehicle keys that must be safely returned to the post-box or the key safe in either the Rainbow Centre or office after every journey.  

2. Escorts

  2.1. Escorts are responsible for the welfare of clients on transport, including: 

2.1.1. Assisting them on and off.

2.1.2. Ensuring that they are seated safely, with seatbelts fastened 
and remain seated.

2.1.3. Strapping in wheelchairs with the assistance of the driver. 

2.1.4. Continually observing clients, in case they need any assistance. 

2.1.5. Ensuring that clients safely get home to their door, into their flat etc. and operating any key safe to access keys. 

2.1.6. Ensuring that clients are escorted from their home, safely, to the vehicle.

  2.2. The Driver will assist the Escort to ensure all ambulant clients are safely wearing seatbelts.  

  2.3. The Driver will assist the Escort to ensure all wheelchair users are safely strapped into the floor tracking of the vehicles and wearing suitable seatbelts. 

  2.4. Escorts must sit at the rear of the vehicle whenever possible with a view of all clients to ensure that they: 

2.4.1. Are all wearing seatbelts. 

2.4.2. Can support clients if necessary. 

2.4.3. Can alert the driver to stop if necessary, concerning the health and safety of clients. 

2.4.4. Stop the driver being distracted by clients.

  2.5. All Escorts must always wear their company ID.

  2.6. No food must be consumed in the vehicle. 

  2.7. The Escort has the primary duty of care to the clients, ensuring their safety and wellbeing. 

  2.8. No other persons shall be ‘given a lift’ on vehicles. Only the authorised Driver, Escort and clients shall be on the vehicle. 

  2.9. If there are insufficient seats in the back of the vehicle, the Escort can sit in the front but must ensure that they still have a clear view of the clients at all times.  

  2.10. Any other requests for the Escort to sit in the front of the vehicle requires Manager approval.

  2.11. Parking ticket charges are the joint responsibility of the driver and any escorts on the vehicle.

Please sign to confirm you have read and agree to these procedures.