Can schools do anything to influence safe travel to and from school?

[Runoutofideas]

One of the mums at school apparently never puts seat belts on her children, or any other children travelling in her car. Yesterday she took home 5 infant school aged children without any of them being strapped in properly. My dd strapped herself in but had to share a seat belt with her friend as there was no space in the car. Also there were no booster seats - but I'm less concerned with that than the fact theat they were not strapped in at all.

I know I can just not let my dd go in a car with her, but I am concerned about the safety of other children whose parents may not know that they are being transported in this way. Would you say anything to school, and if so, can they do anything about it..... Thanks

That's exactly it - I'd feel awful if there was an accident and children were hurt unneccesarily and I hadn't said anything....

That is shocking, do you know any of the other children's parents? Have you said anything to her? Easier said than done, but you could say that you were a bit concerned that dd said this, just checking facts etc. At that age she should at least have booster seats for her children. In an 'emergency' a child can travel without a car seat, but in my mind emergency would be that some major accident had happened to stop me getting to school and a friend had to collect unexpectedly. I now just carry spare booster seat anyway.

School did intervene when a yr4 was taking yr2 to school and now muggins takes them so might be worth mentioning to them, then it could be any parent who had noticed her driving off. Would probably help if you can give them a reg number so can get police to talk to them. I imagine some schools are more proactive than others. It might make things awkward between you and her, but better than empty desks in the classroom. Having said that I remember travelling like that in the 80s!

i would definitely let all the other parents know what i happening, and inform the local police it is extremely irresponsible, dangerous and against the law

I happened to bump into the head teacher informally this morning so I mentioned it to her. She said one family has been repeatedly spoken to about it by the site manager but he has had no joy in changing their behaviour. Obviously she didn't confirm to me that we were talking about the same family but I got the impression that we could be.... She said she'd mention it to the Police Community Support Officer, but she said it is tricky to get them to come to school to look out for it as they are considered low priority apparently. She said they have previously done school assemblies about car safety and they woud look to do another one, however it is the parents that need addressing, not the children really.
I will mention it to the mum of the little girl my dd shared a seat belt with, as I'm sure she would be horrified, but I can't really go round telling everyone not to get in a car with x, can I? The mum involved seems a nice, sensible woman in all other respects, so I can't believe she is so slack with children's safety.

I would talk to the mother of the other girl, also give both girls a pat on the head for strapping themselves in. Say though that you don't want to confront the mother directly but have spoken to the school.

You could also make it clear to the school that your dd is not to be passed into the care of this mother again. I do wonder whether the school should tell her that although she can take her own children, knowing what they do (assuming is the same woman) that they aren't happy to hand over loco parentis to her for other children, she can then explain to parents why she can't collect their dc for play dates. If a school KNEW that this was her usual practise but still let her take my dc and anything happened to them I would hold the school partly responsible.

I was wondering about that 3duracellbunnies - whether school could refuse to let any other children be picked up by her on safety grounds....hmmm - they are pretty hot on checking who goes with who as it is an infant school so they are all 7 or under. I know my dd could not be picked up by her without my say-so, so I am not concerned in that respect. Maybe school should contact the parent of any child due to be going home with her that day and explain their safety concerns, or is that putting too much responsibility on the school?

Can I just ask why your DD was in the car? Does she childmind for you after school? Why haven't you asked the woman about the seating arrangements before now or was this just a one off?

Or even just tell her that she can't pick up other people's children, let her then explain to people why they have to collect children and bring them round themselves. That way they don't need to break confidentiality, as she will need to tell parents herself. She might suddenly discover where Halfords is! Might be worth posting on legal and see whether anyone there knows the position. Could suggest to school that they contact LEA for guidance. I would already be annoyed with school that they knew she didn't strap her children in but they were happy to send my child with her. I think in this era it is pretty much a given that children are strapped into carseats, so parents probably aren't aware when arranging playdates that she doesn't. It would be different if they didn't know, but the fact that they were already aware and still sent my child with her would annoy me.

TBH I wouldn't think twice if someone was picking up Dd1 for a playdate etc, I might offer a car seat if new mum at begining of reception, but by this stage most people have bought spare seats, and certainly would expect them to be strapped in. I can see in years to come as dd2 is v small it might be more of an issue when her classmates have grown out of them, but no one in yr2 would be tall enough not to need them.

Personally (and this may be unpopular) I think that schools have enough to do.

Presumably you checked the arrangements with the person picking up your child with regard to seat belts/boosters? Presumably the other parents did too?

This parent is obviously carrying more children than her car is equipped for (if children are sharing belts). She is breaking the law by not ensuring that children are belted. You now know this and can act accordingly, and that includes telling this parent that she is not carrying children safely and she needs to remedy this, plus she/you needs to let the other parents know.

You can all then make a decision about whether you want your child to travel in the car of a person who is regularly breaking the law and more importantly putting children's lives in danger.

This is not one for the overworked school staff imho.

It was just a "playdate" - the first time dd has been to her house. I didn't know she had invited other children too as well as her own two. She only lives round the corner so I assumed they would walk. I didn't check that she had appropriate car seats/boosters as to me it is a given, that if you are transporting children in a car, you do it safely. It is also law. Do you really quiz every parent to ensure they are complying with all aspects of the law before sending your child round to play? I just expect them to do so...

Raisinboys - I take your point, that's why I wasn't sure if it was really a school issue.....

I think there lies your problem - you "assumed".

If you had been me I'd have asked how they were getting home and whether she needed to borrow a car seat.

If I had been her I'd have been telling you whether they were walking/going by car, exchanging contact info and even - and you'll probably think I'm OTT - but even asking if your DD had any allergies so I could safely give her a snack!

It seems like you may have told everybody else about this but not actually confronted her about it. I know that will be an uncomfortable conversation but personally I feel it's one you have to have with her.

No Runoutofideas - I don't quiz every parent on all aspects of the law. But I do make sure I know if they are walking home or going by car or taking bicycles etc.

Ok - maybe you are right. Lesson learned - I'll be more vigilant in future.

Well done to your DD for strapping herself in though. A credit to you

The child safeguarding for the school involves anything they are responsible for. They check thoroughly that the child is being collected by a known and approved adult with the permission of the parent, or allowed to walk home alone with permission.
The problem you have is that they have done their bit, and the rest has to be up to parents, however uncomfortable or not wanting to rock the boat you may feel. If a child has been given permission to walk home then is involved in an accident, it isn't the school's responsibility. You gave permission. They can't refuse to let someone collect a child if it has been sanctioned by the parent.
You know that she's not safe, you have taken a decision to safeguard your child. What about the others? I would be honest and say why, to friends who let children travel with her, and first and foremost to the woman herself.
But then, I'm a teacher, so I try and do the right thing even if it made me unpopular.

Oh, and yes. For my own children I always checked. That comes of being a teacher too, and seeing the enormous spread of idiotic, illegal, dangerous and inappropriate behaviour that many parents are capable of. I'd never assume anything unless I knew the parent very well and their boundaries.