Dorset Council supports the provision and management of a School Crossing Patrol (SCP) service in accordance with national guidance.
The assessment of SCP sites is primarily informed by national guidance, which uses a PV² calculation as the principal criterion for determining the need for a patrol. PV² is calculated by multiplying the number of pedestrians crossing (P) by the square of the number of vehicles (V) passing the site during the busiest half‑hour period of the school run.
Where a site does not meet the PV² threshold, national guidance allows for the consideration of additional contextual factors, including:
The survey methodology incorporates elements used in the assessment of potential zebra and signal‑controlled crossings. SCP assessments therefore combine the PV² calculation with weighting factors that reflect the level of difficulty in crossing the road, as set out in Road Safety Great Britain (RSGB) guidance.
All approved SCP sites are subject to periodic monitoring to ensure that the adopted criteria continue to be met and that ongoing provision remains justified.
The School Crossing Patrol service operates within the following legislative and policy framework:
The current SCP policy was adopted in 2011 following a comprehensive review of the service by a Policy Development Panel. The review concluded that Dorset Council should formally adopt national guidance as the basis for SCP decision‑making.
In the same year, Cabinet approved an amendment enabling the use of local sponsorship arrangements. This allowed SCP sites to continue operating in locations where national criteria were not met.
On 30 October 2023, the Cabinet Lead for Place Services approved the following amendment to SCP policy:
Where a School Crossing Patrol site is vacant, the site may be removed and replaced with alternative mitigating highway measures, as proposed by an appropriate officer.
On 23 October 2024, the Cabinet Lead for Place Services approved an amendment to the policy relating to sponsorship funding. This confirmed that sponsorship contributions must meet the full cost of providing the service, including:
On 4 February 2026, the Cabinet Lead for Place Services approved an amendment to the policy to update sponsorship restrictions, specifically removing the option for communities to sponsor a SCP at any formal crossing facility such as a zebra crossing or a light‑controlled crossing.
All requests for the establishment of a new School Crossing Patrol site must be submitted in writing to the Road Safety Team, which is responsible for the day‑to‑day management of the SCP service.
Requests must be supported in writing by:
Where a proposed SCP site meets Dorset Council’s adopted assessment criteria, the agreed process for establishing a new SCP site will be initiated.
Where a requested site does not meet the Council’s adopted criteria, or where an existing SCP site falls to an average level more than 10% below the threshold required for retention, written notification will be provided to:
In such cases, Dorset Council may consider entering into a sponsorship agreement to allow an SCP site to be established or retained. Sponsorship may be provided by a Parish Council, Town Council, school, local business, or other interested party, or a combination thereof.
Where approved, sponsorship agreements will normally be for a minimum period of one year and may be renewed annually by mutual agreement.
Sponsorship funding will be required to cover the full SCP salary and associated on‑costs, including National Insurance and pension contributions, where applicable.
Any additional physical highway improvement measures identified during the period of a sponsorship agreement, as a result of changing circumstances, will be funded in full by Dorset Council.
Sponsorship costs will be invoiced annually by Dorset Council at the start of each financial year.
The School Crossing Patrol will be an employee of Dorset Council and will retain all associated local government employee rights and responsibilities. Sponsors will have no role in the management, supervision or day‑to‑day operation of the SCP site.
SCP employees will be appointed initially on a one‑year temporary contract, renewable annually by mutual agreement between the employee and the Council.
Dorset Council will extend all applicable employee benefits and protections under current and future legislation and will fully discharge its duties and responsibilities as the employer.
All sponsorship arrangements will comply with Dorset Council’s Income Generation and Sponsorship Policy.
