Routes:

All routes to be used by the Medway walking bus have had to undertake a risk assessment by the road safety engineer and have been approved by the road safety officer. These recommended routes must be followed at ALL times. Should any section of an authorised route become impassable the adult volunteers must take an alternative route, which minimises the risk to the children.

The children are required to walk in pairs and will be expected to carry their own bags on the journey. If a route uses a narrow footpath, children will be required to walk in single file. The children must walk in an orderly manner on the pavement away from the kerb. The members of the walking bus are expected to have due consideration for other pedestrians and should leave sufficient room for them to pass freely.

The walking bus and the bus 'operators' do not have the authority to stop traffic in order to cross roads. Should any road user stop to allow the bus to cross the road, the volunteers MUST ensure that other traffic is aware of the walking bus and that they have become stationary before the children attempt to cross the road.

Every walking bus will have a 'driver' and a 'conductor'. The driver will lead the crocodile of children from the front. The conductor will walk at the rear of the bus, so that all of the children can be seen and are kept under close supervision. Any additional volunteers will be positioned throughout the bus to help supervise the children. The driver and the conductor must remain with the bus at all times whilst on the agreed route.

Timetable:

The walking bus will operate on every school day, regardless of weather conditions.

The bus will operate a strict timetable and will not wait for latecomers in the morning, even if children are expected to travel. All children must be at the designated 'bus stops' at the appointed time, and must be collected from the bus stop on time in the afternoon, unless they have been given permission to continue home from the stop unsupervised.

Records/register:

The driver should carry with them a register, as they need to know who will be using the bus and when. The register should contain details of attendance, emergency contact telephone numbers, the volunteers' telephone numbers, their availability, and a copy of the rota.

It is essential that parents notify the walking bus co-ordinator if their child is unable to go to school through, for example illness, or cannot go home on the bus because of some other commitment like a visit to the dentists, or going to a friends house after school.

Similarly, if a volunteer is unable to make it, a relief should be contacted, otherwise the bus service for that day would have to be cancelled.

Walking Bus Volunteers:

The success of a walking bus is wholly dependent upon the volunteers who act as drivers and conductors for the walking bus. Without enthusiastic and committed individuals, the wheels of the bus will not turn. It is therefore essential that the scheme has as many volunteers as possible, so that the routes are always covered, and that the responsibility does not just fall on two committed volunteers.

All volunteers who wish to take part in the scheme MUST have received road safety training from the road safety officer and MUST have a police check before they are allowed to supervise the Walking Bus.

Whilst acting as drivers and conductors, all volunteers must wear the fluorescent tabard provided.

Behaviour:

It is expected that all children on the routes will sign a pupil's promise to behave sensibly and courteously at all times on the walking bus, and that parents stress the importance of good behaviour on the journey to and from school. Any child who is seen to endanger themselves or others, or who behaves in an inappropriate manner will be withdrawn from the walking bus. The headteacher will be notified and appropriate action will be taken.

If for any reason, a child misses the walking bus in the afternoon, they should go to the school office, and report it to a member of staff. They SHOULD NOT attempt to walk home unaccompanied.

Parental Consent:

Before a child is allowed to travel on the walking bus, the parents must complete a written consent form. This should provide details of emergency contact details, a list of any medical conditions that the bus operators should be aware of, and days when the child will be using the bus. For example every day, just mornings, or once a week.

Parents are responsible for informing the driver of any changes in their child's attendance on the bus.

Tabards:

All volunteers and children taking part in the walking bus scheme will be issued with a reflective tabard which must be worn at all times when using the bus.

Walking Bus Ratios:

The Medway walking bus will operate on a maximum ratio of one adult to every 6 children.

There must always be at least two adults present on each route, one acting as the 'driver' and the other as the 'conductor'. This ratio must not be exceeded, because there must always be enough adults to children, however if more volunteers wish to help out on bus, they are allowed, therefore increasing the ratio of adults to children.

Emergency Procedures:

The walking bus routes pass through residential areas wherever possible, so in the event of a major incident, volunteers would be required to seek assistance from the emergency services by either mobile phone if one is available, or by seeking help from neighbouring properties along the route. The walking bus register for the route contains details of the emergency contact numbers and information regarding any medical conditions that affect the children or details of any medication they may be taking.

It is thought that the majority of volunteers will be parents, and that they will be capable of dealing with any minor incidents, such as a grazed knee which can be attended to on arrival at the school.

Insurance Cover:

Volunteers will benefit from Medway Council's Employers Liability and Public Liability insurance cover in the same manner as though they were employees of the council provided they operate under the auspices of Medway Council and:

• Have received road safety training

• Have provided personal details and have been vetted by the Police

• Are monitored by the Medway council road safety officer at least once every school term

• A ratio of at least, 1 adult volunteer to 6 children is maintained

Provided that the above are adhered to, cover will apply as follows: Subject to the terms and conditions of the policy, all sums which the volunteer is liable at law to pay as damages in respect of:

• Accidental injury (fatal or otherwise) of or to any person

• Accidental loss of or damage to property

Happening in connection with the exercise of the responsibilities of the volunteer agreed by Medway Council.

The Walking Bus Conductor:

The Conductor, again wearing a high-visibility waistcoat, must always walk at the back of the group of children. As the driver is primarily concerned with the route and checking for hazards, the Conductor must at all times be aware of the children's behaviour, and ensure that the directions and instructions given to the group by the Driver are carried out.

Please remember:

• Initial training from Road Safety personnel will be given when the walking Bus is set up.

• Every opportunity should be taken to involve the children in completing their journey safely.

• Children and helpers should wear high visibility waistcoats at all times.

• The agreed route must be strictly adheared to, as must bus stops and times for collecting and returning children. Any request for a change of route must, in the first instance, be made as a request to the Co-ordinator, who will pass this on to the Head Teacher and/or Road Safety for their consideration.

• Bad behaviour should be reported to the Co-ordinator or Head Teacher who should consider withdrawing the child from the scheme.

• If a child is late in the morning, waiting can only be with due consideration for the rest of the children you are collecting. It is suggested therefore that only a very little time be spent waiting. Should this happen at each stop the children could very easily be late for school.

• If a child has no-one waiting for him/her in the afternoon, after waiting a few minutes, you should continue to the end of the route, which is probably your home, then telephone the Co-ordinator or parent. Waiting too long for one child to be collected could cause anxiety to other parents. Parents who fail to turn up on time may find their child/children excluded from the scheme.

• Providing you are working within these guidelines, you will automatically be insured for public liability by Kent County Council.