Walking Bus
Forms and Formalities
Volunteer Rota
Once you have enlisted the help of volunteers, you will need to set up a rota. Some parents will be willing and able to take part every day. If you can get at least two such parents to walk from the start of each route, it will help to get the scheme well-established. The insurance will specify the recommended ratio of parents to children, usually around one adult to four children. For every adult with a buggy there should be at least one without. Volunteers’ own children count in these ratios. Each Walking Bus will need at least two volunteers but ideally three. That would mean one at the front, one at the back and one in the middle to help keep an eye on those children without their parents.
Many parents can only join on particular days or maybe even only once a month or less. It is important to include them when they offer so they can be involved and learn more about the practicalities of the Walking Bus. Encourage fathers, grandparents and others to join even if it is only on the occasional day off. .
It is most practical to put people on the rota for just the part of the route that is between their house and school. However, you may find some parents are willing to do other routes or the full route, particularly on an emergency basis.
Try to make the rota as regular as possible so people know when they are on duty and you are not relying on a notice board or notes home to keep them informed. The volunteers then get to know the children who have a regular place on their route.
Draw up a contact sheet with volunteers’ names, addresses and telephone numbers. This should be given to all volunteers so everyone is able to contact someone to take over their role if necessary. Make sure you have the permission of all volunteers to use their information in this way and make it clear to everyone that the information is only for Walking Bus use.
|
