Transport

Children who are in your care should be treated as part of the family and you will be expected to transport them in the same way that you would your own children. Good parenting practice requires that foster carers, whenever possible, personally transport children to school and appointments. When this is not possible, and someone other than the child's foster carer provides transport for the child, you must:

• Always ask to see an identity card for the person providing the transport;
• Always check there is an appropriate car seat and/or seat restraint in the vehicle;
• Always ensure that a Child Care Risk Assessment - Section 2 Transporting Children and Young People Safely is completed in respect of the child you are looking after. This assessment should be completed at the placement planning meeting

A first aid kit a should  be carried in the vehicle.

Where outdoor activities are planned, first aid kits should be carried.

If for any reason any children placed with you are involved in any accidents this should be communicated as soon as possible and a written report provided to your Supervising Social Worker.

You should inform your Supervising Social Worker of any driving penalties you receive.

Note: It is illegal to smoke in a vehicle with anyone under 18 (see GOV.UK, Smoking in vehicles). This applies when people have the windows down or the sunroof open, or are sitting in the open doorway of a car. It does not apply to e-cigarettes or a convertible car with the roof completely down.

The law requires all children travelling in cars to use the correct child car seat or booster seat (see GOV.UK, Using a child car seat or booster seat) until they are either 135 cm in height or the age of 12 (which ever they reach first). After this they must use an adult seat belt. The same rules apply for children with disabilities unless a doctor says they're exempt on medical grounds. They can use a disabled person's seat belt or child restraint designed for their needs.

When a child can travel without a car seat: the law taxis and minicabs etc. See: GOV.UK, When a child can travel without a car seat.

It is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure that the child is correctly restrained.

Only EU-approved baby seats, child car seats or booster cushions can be used in the UK. These have a label showing a capital 'E' in a circle.

You can use your child's car seat in the front seat of a vehicle, in accordance with manufacturer's instructions / advice and if it fits, for example in 2-seater cars or convertibles with the top down.

You must deactivate any frontal airbags before fitting a rear-facing baby seat.

You should take all advisory and necessary precautions to ensure everyone's safety whilst driving and ensure you always drive within the legal limits.

You must take responsibility as the owner or driver of a vehicle, that the correct license, insurance (which covers fostered children), tax and MOT certificates are in place and valid. You may be asked to produce the relevant paperwork during the foster carer review process.

It is a good idea to take toys, books and activities to occupy younger children on long journeys.

If a journey is due to be made and the child is very upset or where behaviour is unsettled it will depend on the relationship and understanding of behaviour to determine whether the journey should go ahead, however, it is safer to be late for an appointment, when considering a journey in the car with an unsettled child.

If car journeys are of particular concern and an on-going issue this should be raised with your Supervising Social Worker and a risk assessment undertaken, and discussed with all involved in the child's care.

One to one time in the car can also be a good opportunity for children to share their feelings, a time when they are not exposed to having direct eye contact, or someone facing them directly. You may find some positive conversations can come from a journey in the car.

You may be required to take children to meetings/visits to see professionals or family members from time to time. These circumstances can and do lead to children becoming upset, and caution should be applied where a journey in the car is being made when this occurs.

You may be able to claim mobility allowance for Disabled Children, speak to the child's social worker about this.