Disability Awareness and Safeguarding

Disability Awareness Training

Taxis are invaluable for many people including the elderly and disabled.  They are often the only accessible and flexible transport option for door to door journeys. Therefore, the attitude of drivers and their understanding of disabled people are vital.

Under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 operators of the transport services including taxis are to ensure that they do not unreasonably discriminate against disabled people.

It is  a condition on a driver's licence that all drivers will undergo Disability Awareness Training during the first year of their licence. Failure to do this will mean you are unable to renew your licence.  Training can be booked via the Blue Lamp Trust https://www.bluelamptrust.org.uk/  

It is likely that 'Mystery Shoppers' will also be employed to monitor industry performances.

Safeguarding Awareness and Training

North West Leicestershire District Council has a duty to assist the taxi and private hire trade and the public in tackling this issue, whilst protecting those who are vulnerable and /or being exploited.

The information in this advice document Safeguarding and The Taxi Trade (PDF Document, 0.26 Mb) will help you recognise risk factors and do something about it, plus basic awareness of safeguarding issues can enhance the service a driver delivers to vulnerable passengers whilst protecting themselves.

Every driver must have a minimum level of knowledge prior to being issued with a driver’s licence. This will be assessed through the safeguarding and disability awareness section of the knowledge test. 

In addition to sitting the knowledge test every driver must undergo safeguarding vulnerable passenger and disability awareness training within 12 months of being issued with a driver’s licence. Further information including the link by which to access the course is available on the licensing pages of the Councils website.

It is important that drivers retain the knowledge learned from the training received. Every driver will be provided with a safeguarding essentials briefing sheet. At the time of renewal, drivers are required to declare that they have read and understood the information contained on safeguarding essentials briefing paper.