Road Safety GB has produced new guidance to help school crossing patrol services restart and operate safely as schools re-open in the coming weeks and months.
On Sunday (10 May), prime minister Boris Johnson unveiled the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown restrictions – including plans which could see some primary school pupils return to school next month.
The new guidance is available for all Road Safety GB members* as a download from the members’ area of the Road Safety GB website.
It has been produced to support service providers during this challenging time, and comprises guidance and a checklist to consider when developing their own SCP Service Recovery Action Plan.
The guidance covers SCP assessment, site priority, site location and operation, PPE, Covid-19 risk assessment and the ‘new school day’.
The guidance is designed to be used in conjunction with the full Road Safety GB SCP guidelines – also available from the members’ area – and the policies and procedures issued by each local authority or service provider.
Richard Hall, Road Safety GB’s school crossing patrol specialist, said: “The health of our patrols, service users and the public is of the utmost importance to all of us.
“As SCP services resume and front-line staff return to work the public will expect local authorities to appropriately assess the risk of re-introducing the service – and will have their own thoughts and opinions as to what is deemed to be ‘essential work’.
“It is important that the service and all patrols operate in a safe way, taking into account current government guidance and instruction.
“Local authorities will need to consider how to address any public misunderstanding of why the SCP service is running and how it operates.
“As always, Road Safety GB is happy to help and support service providers where we can.”
*The Road Safety GB members’ area is password protected and only accessible by paid up members. Membership enquiries should be directed to Jackie Bratley, Road Safety GB finance administrator, by email.
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