Seru Assessment Section 9

121 PCO TRAINING

16 Sept 202405:04

Summary

TLDRThis script emphasizes the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in transport services. It defines who is considered at risk and stresses the responsibility of drivers to protect passengers. It outlines steps to take when transporting unaccompanied children, signs of potential exploitation, and the necessity to report any concerns to operators or the police. The script also provides contact numbers for various support services.

Takeaways

🛡️ Safeguarding involves protecting children and adults at risk from harm and abuse.
👶 A child is defined as a person under the age of 18 and is considered vulnerable due to their dependence on adults.
🧑‍🦯 An adult at risk is anyone over 18 who needs extra care and support, potentially due to age, disability, or mental illness.
🚗 If transporting unaccompanied children, ensure the operator is aware and has information on the adult meeting the child.
🚨 As a driver, you may encounter children or adults at risk, including those being trafficked or exploited.
👀 Be vigilant for signs that a child or vulnerable person might be at risk, such as unusual travel patterns or signs of neglect.
📝 Keep detailed records of any incidents or concerns, including dates, times, and descriptions of individuals involved.
📞 Report any concerns about children or adults at risk to your operator and the police using non-emergency numbers.
🆘 In an emergency, dial 999. For non-emergencies, use 101 to report concerns to the police.
🔍 Other support options include Crime Stoppers, NSPCC, and the Modern Slavery Helpline for reporting anonymously.

Q & A

What does safeguarding mean in the context of the script?
-Safeguarding in the context of the script refers to the actions taken to protect children and adults at risk from harm and abuse.
According to the law, what is the definition of a child?
-A child, as per the law, is defined as a person under the age of 18.
Why are children considered vulnerable to harm and abuse?
-Children are considered vulnerable due to their age, which makes them less able to protect themselves and more dependent on adults, thus making them susceptible to exploitation or abuse.
What is an adult at risk and why might they be at risk?
-An adult at risk is someone over the age of 18 who requires extra care and support, and may be at risk of harm or abuse because they are unable to protect themselves, possibly due to age, disability, or mental illness.
What should a driver do if they are carrying an unaccompanied child in their vehicle?
-A driver should ensure their operator is aware and that they know the name of the adult who will meet the child at the end of the journey, as this information should be provided by the operator.
What responsibilities does a driver have when transporting children or adults at risk?
-A driver may have the responsibility to transport children or adults at risk and must be aware of signs of trafficking, exploitation, or abuse, ensuring their behavior is appropriate and professional at all times.
What should a driver do if they have concerns about a passenger's well-being?
-If a driver has concerns about a passenger's well-being, they should report it to their operator and the police, noting any unusual signs or behaviors that may indicate the passenger is at risk.
What is County Lines and how does it relate to safeguarding?
-County Lines refers to the practice where gangs and organized crime groups exploit children and young adults to sell drugs, often forcing them to travel across counties and using mobile phone lines for communication. This is directly related to safeguarding as it involves the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
What are some signs that a child or vulnerable person might be at risk?
-Signs that a child or vulnerable person might be at risk include being picked up for suspicious activities, traveling to meet unknown individuals, showing signs of abuse or neglect, or appearing frightened or under the influence of substances.
What steps should be taken if a driver believes they have witnessed abuse or if a passenger has disclosed abuse?
-If a driver believes they have witnessed abuse or if a passenger has disclosed abuse, they must report it to their operator and the police, providing as much detail as possible to aid in any potential investigation.
What are some additional support options for reporting concerns about children or adults at risk?
-Additional support options for reporting concerns include Crime Stoppers, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), and the Modern Slavery Helpline, which offer anonymous reporting.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Safeguarding Vulnerable Passengers

This section emphasizes the importance of safeguarding training for drivers, focusing on protecting children and adults at risk. It defines a child as anyone under 18 and an adult at risk as someone over 18 who requires extra care due to factors like age, disability, or mental illness. The training is crucial for drivers who may transport unaccompanied children or vulnerable adults, and it outlines the responsibilities of drivers to ensure their safety. It also discusses the signs of potential exploitation, such as County Lines, and the importance of reporting any concerns to the operator or the police. The section advises drivers to maintain professional and appropriate behavior with all passengers and to be vigilant for signs of abuse or neglect.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Safeguarding

Safeguarding refers to the actions taken to protect children and adults at risk from harm and abuse. In the context of the video, safeguarding is a critical responsibility for drivers, as they may encounter vulnerable individuals in their vehicles. The video emphasizes that safeguarding is not limited to professionals like social workers or the police but is a collective responsibility that includes drivers who should be aware of signs of abuse and know how to report them.

💡Vulnerable

Vulnerable, in this script, describes individuals who are at an increased risk of harm or abuse due to factors such as age, disability, or mental illness. The video explains that children under the age of 18 are inherently vulnerable because of their age and dependency on adults. It also points out that adults at risk might be over 18 and in need of extra care and support, making them vulnerable to exploitation or abuse.

💡Child

A child, as defined by the law and the script, is a person under the age of 18. The video underscores that all children are vulnerable to harm and abuse due to their lesser ability to protect themselves and their dependency on adults. It is crucial for drivers to be aware of the presence of unaccompanied children in their vehicles and to follow proper procedures to ensure their safety.

💡Adult at Risk

An adult at risk is someone over the age of 18 who requires additional care and support, potentially due to age, disability, or mental illness, making them susceptible to harm or abuse. The video script highlights the importance of recognizing signs that an adult might be at risk and taking appropriate action to report any concerns to the relevant authorities.

💡Unaccompanied Child

An unaccompanied child is a minor who is traveling without an adult. The script instructs drivers to ensure that their operator is aware of any unaccompanied children in their vehicle and to have knowledge of the adult who will meet the child at the end of the journey. This is important for the child's safety and to prevent any potential harm or abduction scenarios.

💡Criminal Exploitation

Criminal exploitation, also known as county lines, involves gangs and organized crime groups using children and young adults to sell drugs. The video script mentions that these individuals are often forced to travel across counties and use mobile phone lines to communicate with drug traders. This term is significant as it highlights a form of abuse and exploitation that drivers might encounter and need to be vigilant about.

💡Signs of Abuse

The script outlines various signs that may indicate a child or vulnerable person is at risk, such as being picked up and taken to hotels at odd hours, traveling to meet strangers, or showing signs of neglect or abuse. These signs are crucial for drivers to recognize as they may be the first to notice and report such situations, potentially preventing further harm.

💡Professional and Considerate Behavior

The video emphasizes the importance of maintaining appropriate and professional behavior with all passengers, including children and adults at risk. This includes being kind, considerate, and aware of how one's actions could affect others. Such behavior is essential for creating a safe and comfortable environment for vulnerable passengers.

💡Reporting Concerns

Reporting concerns is a key action step outlined in the script for drivers who suspect a child or adult at risk might be in danger. The video instructs drivers to report any such concerns to their operator and the police, providing examples of how to document incidents and the various channels through which they can report, such as calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

💡County Lines

County lines is a term used in the script to describe the criminal exploitation of children and young adults by gangs for drug distribution. It involves the use of mobile phone lines to coordinate drug sales across different counties. This term is significant as it represents a serious form of organized crime that puts young people at risk and is something drivers should be aware of to help combat.

💡Support Services

The script mentions various support services that drivers can report concerns to, such as Crime Stoppers, the NSPCC, and the Modern Slavery Helpline. These services provide additional avenues for reporting suspected abuse or exploitation and can offer assistance without requiring the reporter to disclose their identity. The mention of these services underscores the video's message that there is a network of support available to help protect vulnerable individuals.

Highlights

Safeguarding involves protecting children and adults at risk from harm and abuse.

A child is legally defined as a person under the age of 18.

Children are considered vulnerable due to their age and dependency on adults.

An adult at risk is someone over 18 who needs extra care and support.

Adults at risk may be unable to protect themselves due to age, disability, or mental illness.

Drivers must inform their operator when carrying unaccompanied children.

Drivers may transport children or adults at risk and should be aware of potential signs of trafficking or abuse.

Everyone shares the responsibility of keeping children and adults at risk safe, not just social workers or the police.

Drivers should be alert to signs that a passenger may be at risk and report any concerns.

County Lines refers to the exploitation of children and young adults by gangs for drug trafficking.

Signs of a child or vulnerable person at risk may include unusual travel patterns or behaviors.

Drivers should maintain appropriate and professional behavior with all passengers.

Reporting concerns about a child or adult at risk involves notifying the operator and the police.

It's helpful to keep a record of incidents or situations that raise concerns, including details like dates, times, and descriptions.

In an emergency, drivers should call 999, and for non-emergencies, they can report to their PHV operator or the police by calling 101.

Other support options include Crime Stoppers, NSPCC, and the Modern Slavery Helpline for reporting concerns anonymously.

Drivers are encouraged to be aware, concerned, and proactive in reporting any signs of abuse or risk to children and adults.