Transporting Children & Young People

• Staffordshire County Council has guidance and documentation to assist in the management of child car seats. This contains advice and guidance on legal requirements and the suitability of the various types of child car seats for the different stages in the child’s development.
• Like all responsible parents, Foster Carers are responsible for driving within the law and they will find this information useful. Carers need to ensure the car seat is installed correctly and it is good practice to visually check the seat for damage, frayed belts etc prior to each use.
• The Foster Carer’s Social Worker is expected to ensure that carers understand their role and responsibilities when transporting children and young people. If they have any concerns about which seat to purchase for the child, they should gain advice from a reputable retailer who has expertise in this area, or they should be advised to contact Staffordshire County Council’s Strategic Health & Safety Service.
• Further information can also be found by looking at the Families First ‘Transporting Children & Young People Policy’. – hyperlink to be added
• Ensure that the child can be secured safely in your vehicle. If a child car seat is required inform your fostering social worker who will ensure that you are supported to acquire an appropriate child seat.
• Vehicle drivers are responsible for ensuring children they are transporting are appropriately restrained with a correctly fitted seat belt. Where child car seats are used, drivers are responsible for ensuring the child car seat is fitted correctly, is the correct type for the child’s height and weight and also that the child is safely restrained in it via the appropriate harness and/or seat belts.