School crossing patrols

Suffolk Roadsafe

Helping to provide a safe passage for children and adults to cross a road at a designated point and time on their journey to and from school.


Following a review of the school crossing patrol service in 2011, it was decided that all existing patrols will continue to be employed by Suffolk County Council. However we are keen to work with communities who want to take on patrols themselves.

The County Council is encouraging communities to share responsibility for the service and to ensure that it reflects specific local needs.

We are particularly keen to work with public and private sector organisations that are willing to provide financial support to ensure the long term viability of the service and a number have already come forward to do this.

Where a community considers that a patrol is needed at a site where none currently operates, the County Council will help them to assess this using the Road Safety GB school crossing patrol criteria,  engineers' assessment and the school crossing patrol manager's local knowledge. 

The Council will work with the community to find the funding. The Council will also work with the community to find the most appropriate way of engaging and supervising a patrol on a case by case basis.


What is the procedure for unsupervised sites?
If a Patrol Officer is unable to operate their point there is a procedure in place to provide emergency cover.

Points will where possible be covered by Relief Patrol Officers for a maximum of 3 days. If the absence is likely to continue beyond this point schools will be notified that the site will be unsupervised.

The journey to and from school continues to be a parental responsibility with or without a Patrol Officer on site.

Do you have any job vacancies?
For details of any vacancies please see our vacancies page or visit the Road Safety website on  for an upto date list of vacancies.

For more information contact our Customer Service Centre.