Personnel Checks launch pioneering training framework for the taxi industry

National DBS Umbrella Body and safeguarding professionals, Personnel Checks reveal pioneering training framework to Licensing Managers from across the UK at the ‘Safeguarding for the Taxi Licensing Industry’ event held at Manchester Central Library on Wednesday 18 May.

The event was attended by taxi and licensing professionals who came from across the UK which was aimed at promoting the importance of safeguarding, both for passengers and drivers and tackled key concerns, best practice as well as launching Personnel Check’s new training framework that licensing teams can now adopt to protect themselves, their drivers and the public.

Key speaker, Stella Bacon, Principal Solicitor and Licensing Manager for Bassetlaw District Council outlined why she has implemented safeguarding training to be a compulsory part of the licensing process. Stella has also recently implemented a series of safeguarding policies and outlined her reasons for these enhancements as well as the key developments she has made around safeguarding.

Head of customer service and operations, Alice Wrigley of Personnel Checks followed with an introduction to Personnel Checks’ Safeguarding Training Framework, highlighting the ‘Gold Standard’ of safeguarding the company have introduced to enhance their current pre-licensing solutions in line with their unique DBS checking service. The training framework was put together after extensive research and discussions with drivers, operators and Licensing Teams.

A roundtable discussion followed where Licensing Managers were given the opportunity to share their experiences with other council leaders, helping to promote and improve best practice as well as highlight specific challenges facing licensing teams, operators and drivers.

Tracey Brzozowski, licensing and enforcement manager from Rossendale Borough Council delivered a presentation on Personnel Checks’ ‘taxi+’, a unique, custom-made solution designed to increase the efficiency of taxi licensing authorities and streamline the application process for Taxi Drivers.

Personnel Checks managing director, Michelle Mellor, shared why she felt Personnel Checks are passionate about promoting safeguarding training amongst throughout the taxi licensing profession: “Our role is to safeguard society, whatever safeguarding measures every employer may have in place currently, there is no doubt we can all do more. Drivers are in a prime position to help ensure the safety of vulnerable passengers by identifying possible child sexual exploitation and human trafficking, our research carried out by Personnel Checks highlights that 49% had never received Safeguarding Training.

"That’s why we’re working collaboratively with councils, operators and the taxi trade, events like today really do highlight how key it is to ensure the best practice safeguarding measures are implemented and a structured, consistent training framework is delivered to drivers to help put passenger safety and put public protection at the very heart of the industry.”

The event ended with an update on the DBS and a Q&A session, where licensing managers were able to ask questions about safeguarding and DBS check issues.

Commenting on the event; Elaine Moreton, head of licensing at The City of Wolverhampton Council said: “attending has given us the opportunity to share insight and experience with other licensing Managers from across the country on how key safeguarding is. Personnel Checks have provided a way forward for us with their ‘taxi+’ product which suits our needs and the needs of the drivers. It’s a very professional service and the turnaround times are much quicker than we experienced with our old system“. Further Safeguarding Roadshows are planned across many parts of the UK over the next twelve months.