Safeguarding children and adults at risk

Section 9 of the handbook is about safeguarding: protecting children and adults at risk from harm and abuse. It is short, but it is one of the most important parts of the whole book, because drivers see things other professionals never do. This guide goes through what the handbook says and gives you a simple way to remember it.

Who the handbook means

According to the law, as the handbook puts it, a child is a person under 18. All children are vulnerable to harm and abuse because of their age: they are less able to protect themselves and depend on adults. An adult at risk is anyone over 18 who needs extra care and support, perhaps because of age, disability or mental illness, and who may be unable to protect themselves.

The handbook also says online safeguarding awareness training is available and that it is important you take it. The handbook does not name the course or give a link, so look on TfL's website.

Unaccompanied children

If your passenger is an unaccompanied child, make sure your operator knows, and make sure you know the name of the adult who will meet the child at the end of the journey. Your operator should give you that information. If you do not have it, ask before you set off.

What you might notice

The handbook says you may come across passengers who are being trafficked, exploited, abused or are in need of help in some other way. You may notice things that do not seem quite right and be in a position to report something that helps protect someone. It lists these signs that a child or vulnerable person may be at risk:

• Young or vulnerable people being picked up and taken to hotels or suspected brothels, particularly at odd times of the day or night.
• A young person travelling to meet someone they do not know, perhaps someone they met online.
• A young person or adult showing signs of being abused, harmed or neglected.
• Adults putting a young person into your vehicle who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• A child or young person who looks concerned or frightened in the company of adults.
• An adult or young person who looks poorly dressed or unclean, or like they do not get enough food.
• An adult who seems controlled by someone else or has decisions made for them by another adult.
• An adult who seems to have their money controlled by someone else.

One sign on its own proves nothing. The handbook's point is to stay aware and to report concerns so people with the right powers can look into them.

County lines

The handbook describes criminal exploitation, also called county lines. Gangs and organised crime groups use children and young adults to sell drugs. These young people are often forced to travel across counties, for example by train or in taxis and private hire vehicles, and use mobile phone lines to keep in contact with people in the drugs trade. Being a driver means you could be carrying someone in this situation without knowing it.

What to do

The handbook is clear that if you think you have seen a child or adult at risk who needs help or is suffering signs of abuse, or if they have told you directly, you must report it to your operator and the police. In practice:

1. Be aware of children and adults at risk, and be concerned about their wellbeing.
2. Listen to what they tell you.
3. Reassure them by being professional, kind and considerate.
4. Report concerns to your PHV operator or the police on 101. In an emergency, call 999.
5. Write it down. A written or recorded note helps. Include dates and times, what happened, and the names, addresses and physical descriptions of the people involved. You can then give these details to the police.

Other places to turn

If you do not think it is appropriate to report to the police, the handbook lists these alternatives, all of which can be contacted anonymously:

• Crimestoppers (anonymous): 0800 555 111
• NSPCC: 0808 800 5000
• Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700

The handbook says you do not need to give your details, but the more information you give, the better. These numbers are as printed in handbook version 1.0, so check them before relying on them.

Your own behaviour

The handbook says to make sure your behaviour with all passengers, including children and adults at risk, is appropriate and professional at all times, and to think about how your actions could affect others. Do not use a passenger's contact details for anything except the booked journey, and avoid physical contact unless a passenger needs help. See our guide on equality and disability duties.

Where this fits for the assessment

Safeguarding is one of the ten handbook sections the licensing assessment is based on. Learn the definitions, the list of signs, the reporting steps and the phone numbers in the handbook text. Our study plan guide shows how to fit it in.

What the handbook does not say

It does not give legal duties to report in specific circumstances beyond the statement above, and it does not describe what happens after you report. For those, contact your operator or the police.

General information, not legal advice.