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Council to step up efforts to recruit school crossing patrollers

Aberdeen City Council is to make a concerted effort to recruit more school crossing patrollers city-wide.

The Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved a motion by Councillor Jennifer Stewart to “run a robust recruitment campaign to increase the number of school crossing patrollers”.

The committee heard that efforts are regularly made to recruit crossing patrollers to fill vacancies and that some high-profile recruitment campaigns had been carried out. Work had also been done with schools, with posters put up and leaflets sent home with school children to encourage family members to apply for the posts.

Councillor Stewart said: “One accident is an accident too many. We should leave no stone unturned to find people to take up these positions.

"While the council does not have a statutory duty to provide school crossing patrollers, we should try to give comfort to parents to allow children to walk to school and cross roads safely. My personal view is that we have a duty of care to children, who will always come worst off in an accident.

"I would also urge drivers to take a great deal of care when driving, especially in residential areas and close to schools where children may be on the street, and to pay heed to warning signs and traffic lights."

Committee convener Councillor Kate Dean said: “School crossing patrollers do an extremely important and worthwhile job. Although your stereotypical lollipop man or woman is a retired person, it is a rewarding job that adults of all ages can do.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in becoming a school crossing patroller to contact the council to find out more about the job.”

Vacancies are available city-wide. For more information call 01224 522232 or 01224 523963 or click on the “Our Jobs” link on the Aberdeen City Council website at www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

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