Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2006. It was answered by Ruth Kelly (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 March 2006 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Child Protection

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether there is an equivalent to List 99 for school bus drivers.

Answer: Children travelling to school by bus may travel on public service buses alongside the general public; buses provided under contract by the local authority; or buses owned and operated by the local authority. Drivers of school buses may be self-employed, employed by private bus companies, or directly by local authorities. The Department for Education and Skills currently advises that employers should carry out Criminal Records Bureau checks on anyone working with children, including drivers of contracted school buses and those operated by local authorities. These checks will disclose whether or not a bus driver is included in List 99.Under the proposed new vetting and barring scheme which implements the Bichard inquiry report, bus drivers who work within school premises during hours when children are present must be checked to ensure that they are suitable to work with children. Bus drivers who do not work within school premises, but who care for or have a supervisory role over children, must also be checked. Checks will not be required for bus drivers where a vehicle is for general public use.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 47462; 443 c1412W;443 c1412W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Bus Drivers
Monday, 20 March 2006
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Buses Vetting Schools Transport
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk