Recruitment & Suitability Policy

Bramhall Cars Limited — Last updated: March 2026

1. Purpose

This policy sets out Bramhall Cars Limited's approach to recruiting drivers and staff, with the primary aim of ensuring the safety of the public, particularly children and vulnerable adults.

2. Driver Requirements

All drivers contracted to fulfil bookings for Bramhall Cars must hold:

• A valid Private Hire Driver Licence issued by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (or relevant licensing authority)
• A valid Hire and Reward insurance certificate for their vehicle
• A valid Vehicle Test Certificate (MOT)
• An enhanced DBS check (as required by the licensing authority)

Our system monitors the expiry dates of all documents and automatically prevents drivers from operating if any document has expired.

3. Staff Requirements (Non-Drivers)

All individuals (non-drivers) working in any capacity for Bramhall Cars who have access to booking records must:

• Obtain a basic DBS Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service before commencing employment
• The DBS certificate must be dated within one month before the commencement of employment
• Be registered with the DBS Update Service to enable regular checks (at least every six months)

4. DBS Register

The operator maintains a register of all individuals who have access to booking records, including:

• Full name and address
• Date of birth
• Contact details (phone and email)
• DBS issue date and certificate number
• Start and finish dates of employment
• Job title

This register is maintained as a living document and is available for inspection by an Authorised Officer upon request.

5. Suitability Assessment

Bramhall Cars adopts a suitability policy compatible with Stockport Council's suitability policy. When considering whether to contract a driver or employ staff, we will consider:

• The nature and seriousness of any criminal convictions or cautions
• The relevance of any offences to the role
• The time elapsed since the offence
• Any pattern of offending behaviour
• The individual's overall character and circumstances

6. Ongoing Monitoring

The operator will:

• Check the DBS Update Service for all staff at least every six months
• Monitor driver licence and document expiry dates through our automated system
• Act promptly on any information received about a driver or staff member's suitability
• Report any relevant concerns to the Licensing Authority

7. Recruitment of Ex-Offenders

Having a criminal record does not automatically bar an individual from working with Bramhall Cars. Each case will be assessed on its own merits, taking into account the Council's suitability policy and the overriding need to protect the public.

8. Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated to reflect changes in legislation, licensing conditions, or best practice.