A team dedicated to keeping children and young people safe on the roads, including journeys to school and college, has welcomed its latest recruit.
Hayley Hoten from South Staffordshire has joined Staffordshire County Council as a Road Safety Education Officer, working with schools, colleges and other educational settings across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
The Road Safety Education team works directly with children and young people of all ages to help pupils develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to stay safe on the roads. The team deliver practical training and interactive classroom sessions, as well as young driver awareness workshops.
During the last academic year, the team delivered presentations and training sessions to more than 30,600 pupils across Key Stages 1 to 5. The programme also reached 144 priority schools and 16 colleges and post-16 settings, focusing on children and young people most at risk on the roads.
Hayley said:
“I’m really looking forward to connecting with communities across Staffordshire and I can’t wait to work with this great team of Road Safety Education and Training Officers.
“I am passionate about education, and road safety is a subject close to my heart. I’m keen to make sessions fun and engaging whilst delivering important messages around topics such as walking to school safely, seatbelt safety and learner driver and passenger road safety awareness.
“Whether travelling on foot, by car or by public transport, I’m looking forward to supporting families to be able to make those journeys safely and confidently.”
The team is funded through the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP), a partnership of organisations working together to improve safety on the county and city’s roads.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council and Vice-Chair of SSRP, caught up with the team at Thomas Alleynes High School in Uttoxeter.
He said:
“Our road safety education team play a vital role in helping children and young people understand potential risks and develop safe habits that will stay with them throughout their lives.
“We’re delighted to welcome Hayley to the team. Her work will help us continue reaching thousands of pupils across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, giving them the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe whether they are walking, cycling, travelling as passengers or preparing to learn to drive.”
Further information and advice are available on the road safety education webpage.
