All our drivers are DBS checked and use their own cars which are kept up to date with Insurance, MOT, licence.

The Public Passenger Vehicle Act 1981 states that:

“…. A journey made by a vehicle in the course of which one or more passengers are carried at separate fares shall not be treated as made in the course of a business of carrying passengers if:-

A)   The fare or aggregate of the fares paid in respect of the journey does not exceed the amount of the running costs of the vehicles for the journey; and

B)   The arrangements for the payment of fares by the passenger or passengers so carried were made before the journey began.

“And for the purposes of the paragraph above the running costs of a vehicle for a journey shall be taken to include an appropriate amount in respect of depreciation and general wear.”

It should be remembered that tipping drivers in cash or in kind could infringe car sharing legislation and therefore should be specifically discouraged.

The Law and the volunteer driver

Volunteer drivers need to comply with all legal requirements, as with everyday motoring:

·      Their vehicle must be taxed.

·      Their vehicle must be properly insured.

·      Their vehicle must have a valid MOT certificate.

·      Drivers must hold a full valid driving license.

·      Drivers must be able to read a car number plate at 20 meters (66 feet). This may be done with spectacles or contact lenses if these are worn. Drivers’ eyesight should be checked regularly as it can gradually deteriorate.

Shelford Support Group has a duty of care to ensure that all volunteers comply with any legal requirements.

To ensure that all legal requirements are adhered to it is highly recommended that all new volunteer drivers should be asked to produce documents as part of the application process and thereafter on an annual basis. Shelford Support Group will keep a copy on file and record that all documents have been checked.

 Seat belts, the law and good practice

 Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts, where fitted. Drivers should remind passengers to use their seat belts.

·      Where passengers have a Medical Exemption Certificate issued by their doctor, which means that wearing a seat belt could worsen their medical condition, it is best for an unbelted passenger to sit in the back rear seat on the passengers’ side, with no one sitting in the front passenger seat.

·      All drivers must ensure that all passengers have a lap and diagonal seat belt. Some cars may only have two seat belts on the back seat, not three, or only a lap belt for the middle seat. This may mean you do not use the middle rear seat in some cars.

Make sure you have a safe vehicle.

Vehicle defects are only involved in a small proportion of crashes. However, the type of vehicle also has a major influence on the likelihood and severity of injuries when there is a collision.

 As the driver, you are also responsible for ensuring that the vehicle you are driving is safe and legal.

 Before driving any vehicle, check:

Tyres are undamaged (no cuts or bulges), are the correct pressure for the number of passengers or equipment being carried and have enough tread depth. The legal minimum is 1.6mm, but above 3mm gives much shorter braking distances in the wet.

·      There are no signs of vehicle damage.

·      Oil, coolant, and windscreen wash levels are correct (check when cold)

·      Brakes are working.

·      Lights and indicators are working.

·      Windscreen and windows are not damaged.

·      Washers and wipers are working.

·      Mirrors are correctly positioned.

·      All occupants are using their seat belts and head restraints are adjusted correctly.

·      Loads are securely restrained.

  Ew laws from 29th January 2022

 Highway Code

A change to the hierarchy of road users in the Highway Code became effective from 22nd January 2022, requiring those who have potential to cause the greatest harm to take on the responsibility of reducing danger in a situation.

 Someone driving a cr for example is more responsible than than a cyclist for the safety of them both. From least to most responsible, the new hierarchy is:  pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists and drivers.

Tougher phone laws

Since 25 March 2022, drivers have been banned from using their phones to take photos, videos, scroll through playlists or play games. Those caught can now face a fixed penalty noice fine of £200 and 6 points on their licence.

 The use of hands-free devices like sat nav’s is allowed, as long as they are secured in a holder and don’t negatively affect the drivers control of the vehicle.

Fines from councils

Drivers can now be fined by councils, rather than just the police, if they are caught performing bad manoeuvres.

From 31st March 2022, councils in England have been able to apply to the Secretary of State for new powers to enforce ‘moving traffic offences’ such as stopping in a yellow box junction or ignoring signage.

Tax increases

Vehicle excise duty, also known as road tax or car tax, increased on 1 April 2024 in line with standard updating. This is currently paid by those who drive a petrol or diesel, but will apply to electric and low emission vehicles from 1st April 2025.

The coordinator is the first point of contact for someone wishing to book a journey, they will then ring around the drivers to find someone available and willing to undertake the journey and the driver is then contacted to confirm name of driver and a pickup time.

 If you are planning a journey directly with the passenger, the coordinator must be informed of the details prior to the journey as you will not be covered if an accident was to happen.

VOLUNTEERING POLICY

Scope

This policy applies to staff, volunteers, services and service users of services 

provided directly by the charity known as Shelford Support Group Community transport services and schemes which operate within Cambridgeshire are governed by their own policies and procedures. 

 The aim of Shelford Support Group

 At Shelford Support Group, volunteers are a major resource and make a vital contribution to our aim. We intend to encourage, develop, support and properly organise volunteer involvement in our work.

 The time, energy and skills offered by volunteers benefit our work and help us to achieve our aim. Volunteering also brings benefits to volunteers themselves and their client group.

 A volunteer is a person who undertakes voluntary activity on our behalf or on behalf of member organisations. It is undertaken by choice, and it is unpaid.  

 Shelford Support Group believes that our relationship with our volunteers is one of mutual responsibility and commitment and our volunteers have both rights and responsibilities. We hope that volunteers will enjoy their involvement and gain from it in terms of their own personal objectives.

 Shelford Support Group purpose in adopting this policy is to:

Highlight and acknowledge the value of the contribution made by volunteers.

Recognise the respective roles, rights and responsibilities of volunteers and Shelford Support Group

 Clarify the roles of volunteers and address the relation between volunteers, those who engage them and those who receive their services

 Help to ensure the ongoing quality of both the volunteering opportunities on offer and the work carried out by our volunteers

 Acknowledge the current areas of volunteer involvement.

 Statement of Principles of Good Practice

In involving volunteers, we will be guided by the Volunteering Code of Practice.

Recruitment and Selection

Shelford Support Group Equal Opportunities Policy will be adhered to when recruiting and selecting volunteers.

To ensure that all volunteering opportunities are widely accessible written task descriptions will define time commitment, necessary skills and actual duties and will-be promoted appropriately.

Volunteers will be required to complete a volunteers’ application form, references taken up and applications processed in a timely manner, matching volunteers to posts as well as possible.

Support for Volunteers

 Shelford Support Group will provide an induction period and review session for volunteers to assess the progress of their placements and to resolve any problems at an early stage.

 We will provide funding for the payment of volunteers' expenses. Volunteers will be given clear information about what expenses can be claimed and how to claim.

 Shelford Support Group has included volunteers within its insurance arrangements including employment and public liability.

 Volunteers will be given information on other legislation or policies which may affect them e.g., Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities. In these respects, volunteers will be treated in the same way as paid staff for liability purposes.

 All volunteers will be offered access to support and supervision on a regular basis.

 All volunteers will be offered access to appropriate training to enable them to develop their capabilities and competence appropriate to their volunteering role.

Volunteers will be encouraged to provide each other with mutual support.

Volunteers will be made aware of the organisation's complaints, grievances and disciplinary procedures, and of who to contact if they have a grievance about any aspect of their work.

To support its committee, will provide:

·      An induction on the role and responsibilities of the Committee and the work of the organisation

·      Training where required

·      Opportunities to meet with staff members of their choice

·      Written information and reports in good time on matters related to the governance to the organisation, the organisation's constitution and relevant areas of legislation

Rights and Responsibilities of Volunteers

In engaging volunteers, we recognise the rights of volunteers to:

·      Know what is expected of them and to be given clear information and induction.

·      Be free from discrimination, safe, insured, supported and supervised, trained, reimbursed out of pocket expenses and shown appreciation.

·      Know what their rights and responsibilities are if something goes wrong.

·      Ask for a reference for future employment further volunteering opportunities.

·      Withdraw from voluntary work.

We expect that volunteers will:

·      Carry out their tasks in a way which corresponds to the aims and values of Shelford Support Group

·      Work within agreed guidelines and remits.

·      Be reliable.

·      Respect confidentiality.

·      Attend training and support sessions where agreed. 

Reviewing the Policy and Procedures

Shelford Support Group will monitor and review this policy and procedures on volunteers every two years and will nominate a member of the Management Committee and a senior paid staff member to undertake this monitoring and review role.

 Responsibility

Overall responsibility for the implementation, monitoring and review of the policy and procedures lies with the Management Committee.

 We will review the policy periodically to consider changes in legislation or in Shelford Support Group activities. The policy will be reviewed as a matter of course every two years. 

Doc: 2025V Date Adopted 27/2/2025                  Date Reviewed: