Compulsory dementia training: Taxi drivers MUST complete safeguarding course in Richmondshire

Taxi drivers in Richmondshire must complete COMPULSORY dementia training as part of new licensing standards put in place in the region.

As part of new policy, all taxi drivers are required to complete dementia training via pre-arranged online sessions. The authority has organised free ‘Zoom’ training that takes approximately 1 hour to complete.

Cabbies are being asked to call the local authority to book themselves onto the free dementia training. All drivers must have called before 26 May to book a place on one of four training days to choose from.

Drivers who are struggling to access Zoom facilities on their own phone, pc or laptop may be asked to attend Mercury House to Zoom in a local authority meeting room.

One driver in the area told TaxiPoint they and other drivers feel under pressure to complete the training.

Kevin Chin, Richmondshire Licensing Officer, said: “Dementia training falls in within Safeguarding and disability awareness and is a requirement for Richmondshire drivers under the Hackney & Private Hire Policy.

“Dementia has an impact on many vulnerable people and we aim to give our drivers the necessary awareness that may assist their business and abilities to provide their services to such vulnerable customers.”