TRAVEL POLICY

Not all children are able to access their own or public transport, and the club recognise that teams cannot successfully operate without the goodwill of their Coaches, club volunteers and parents in ensuring that children are transported to and from training and matches using their private cars. 

Where a Coach or club volunteer acting in their official capacity makes travel arrangements on behalf of the Team or Club, the following guidelines should be followed:

• Parents/guardians will be informed in advance of the driver who will be transporting their child, the reasons why and how long the journey will take.
• Wherever possible, drivers should not to take children on journeys in their car alone. The driver should attempt to have more than one child in the car and ideally another adult.
• The driver should alternate which child is picked up first/dropped off last. Ideally two children should be picked up/dropped off at an agreed point i.e. one of their family homes.
• The driver will hold a valid DBS certificate.
• The vehicle being used should be fit for purpose, have a valid MOT certificate and be adequately insured.
• The driver will hold an appropriate and valid driving licence.
• Children should wear an appropriate seatbelt/booster seat that complies with current legislation, and should behave responsibly in the vehicles at all times.
• Wherever possible, children should sit in the back of the car.
• The driver should, where possible, have emergency breakdown cover; but must in all circumstances have access to a mobile phone, and have the contact details for the parent/guardian of the children they are transporting.

If all alternatives have been exhausted and a Coach or club volunteer has to transport a child alone, the following additional safety measures should be adhered to:

• A person other than the planned driver should talk to the child about transport arrangements to check they are comfortable about the plans.
• If they are feeling uncomfortable about a situation, children should be encouraged to report any concerns they may have to the club.

Where parents make travel arrangements

• If parents make arrangements between themselves regarding transport to/from training and matches this is a private arrangement for which the club accept no liability.