SAFEGUARDING POLICY
PROTECTING PASSENGERS WITH CARE, RESPECT, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
At Ant Travel Limited, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. As a licensed and fully compliant transport operator, we work closely with Suffolk County Council, local schools, and care providers to ensure that every journey — especially for children, vulnerable adults, and elderly passengers — is safe, respectful, and properly supervised. Alongside this commitment, we also provide reliable corporate travel and a trusted local taxi service, offering the same high standards of safety, professionalism, and care across all our operations.
OUR CORE PRINCIPLES
SAFETY FIRST
Passenger well-being always takes priority over operational convenience.
RESPECT & DIGNITY
Every individual is treated with kindness, equality, and respect.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Personal information is handled securely and only shared when necessary.
ACCOUNTABILITY
All team members are trained to identify and report safeguarding concerns without delay.
DRIVER VETTING & CHECKS
We ensure every member of our driving team meets strict compliance and vetting standards.
All Ant Travel drivers undergo:
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Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks before employment
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ID and right-to-work verification
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Reference checks from previous employers
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Driving licence and medical fitness validation
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We also conduct ongoing DBS monitoring to ensure every driver remains compliant and fully cleared to work with vulnerable passengers.
STAFF TRAINING & AWARENESS
We invest in continuous training to ensure every member of our team understands their safeguarding responsibilities.
Our training covers:
Safeguarding Awareness (adults and children)
SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) Awareness
First Aid and Emergency Response
Conflict De-escalation and Communication Skills
Data Protection and Confidentiality
All recruits receive comprehensive induction training, followed by annual refresher sessions and updates whenever legislation changes.
PASSENGER ASSISTANCE & CARE PROCEDURES
We tailor our service to the needs of every passenger, ensuring a safe and supportive experience from start to finish.
Door-to-Door Support
Drivers assist passengers from their home or care facility to the vehicle, ensuring safe handover at the destination.
Supervision for Vulnerable Passengers
Consistent driver assignments are maintained to build familiarity and trust for SEN and elderly passengers.
Escort/Carer Provision
Trained passenger assistants can be provided for school or care routes when requested.
Journey Monitoring
All journeys can be logged and tracked for real-time safety and compliance oversight.
REPORTING A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN
We operate a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of neglect, abuse, or misconduct.
If a driver or staff member identifies or suspects a safeguarding issue:
They must report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
The DSL will assess and, if necessary, escalate to the Suffolk County Council Safeguarding Team.
A written incident report will be logged and stored securely.
DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD (DSL):
Nicolae Alexandru Taran — Director
DATA PROTECTION & CONFIDENTIALITY
All passenger information and journey details are processed in full compliance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. We only share data with authorised council officers, schools, or care coordinators directly involved with a booking.
PARTNER & COUNCIL COMPLIANCE
Ant Travel Limited is an approved Suffolk County Council transport partner and adheres to all relevant licensing, insurance, and safeguarding regulations.
We maintain full documentation for:​
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Council contract safeguarding compliance
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Risk assessments for passengers and routes
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Insurance certificates
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Vehicle inspection and maintenance logs​​
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
We regularly review and refine our safeguarding policies and procedures to reflect:
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Updates in national and local safeguarding guidance
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Feedback from schools, care homes, and families
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Results from internal audits and staff training reviews
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At Ant Travel Limited, we believe safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility — and we are fully committed to providing a transport service that prioritises safety, trust, and care in every journey.