School Crossing Patrol Review - Parents and Carers

On 15 March 2016 the Transport and Environment Committee gave its approval for a review of the School Crossing Patrol (SCP) service to be undertaken and for a proposed set of criteria and methodology to be used when assessing SCP sites.

A technical assessment of all 243 SCP sites was subsequently undertaken between late 2016 and mid 2017.  On 5 October 2017 a further report was considered by Committee which noted the next steps were to undertake consultations with service users and service providers to seek their views about existing, alternative or additional new sites and to develop a draft SCP policy for further consideration by Committee.

This consultation was subsequently undertaken between February and May 2018.  In addition to the opportunity to provide their views about existing, alternative or additional new SCP sites, stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment on any other aspect of the service or to make suggestions for how it could potentially be improved. 

An overall total of 1,140 responses were received covering a wide variety of issues, many of which were not originally included within the scope of the review.

The high number of responses, with contributions from each of the seven stakeholder groups, together with the breadth of opinions expressed indicated a successful consultation. Examples of key issues raised are:

• comments upon existing locations and suggestions for new sites;
• a desire for greater absence cover;
• to review the Guides’ operational hours;
• to consider the education of parent/carers, children and road users on the role of the Guides;
• location specific issues such as potential infrastructure improvements; and
• the high value in which the service is held by users

The Feedback received will be used to direct further work on the Review.

Further information on the consultations that have been undertaken with service users and service providers and the issues arising from the feedback that was received is available on the Council website at http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolcrossingpatrols.