MiDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) is an award winning and nationally recognised assessment and training scheme for minibus drivers, which offers you all you need to meet your Health & Safety and legal responsibilities. It is a membership based scheme organised by The Community Transport Association (CTA), designed to enhance driving standards and promote safer operation of minibuses.

The scheme is open to all ‘not for profit’ organisations to help their drivers become better prepared for today's driving conditions.

Who is it for?

The MiDAS ( Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme ) course is suitable for drivers working or volunteering for any not-for-profit organisation operating minibuses, ranging from small voluntary organisations operating one vehicle, to local authorities operating large fleets of minibuses, as well as schools, colleges, nursing homes, and universities.

Drivers must be over the age of 21 and have held a full car licence for over 2 years.

Steps to Gaining your MiDAS Certificate:

Module One: Standard Certificate 

• This part of the course lasts for 4 hours and is a classroom based session. It includes:
• Training in the skills required to drive a minibus.
• A thorough knowledge of the legal responsibilities of a minibus driver and duty of care.
• Department for Transport (DfT) codes of practice in safe carriage of passengers.
• Good practice in passenger comfort.
• Health and Safety at work for Drivers.
• Reversing & Manoeuvring of vehicles.
• Defensive Driving techniques.
• Theory Test & Highway Code Quizzes.

At the end of this session, candidates sit a written test paper, consisting of 20 questions, the answers to which will be contained in the training session, and in the minibus drivers handbook provided to each candidate. The pass mark of the theory test is 80%.

Module Two: Accessible Certificate 

This module is for drivers transporting wheelchair users, who will require knowledge and experience of using passenger lifts and securing wheelchairs inside the minibus. This part of the course lasts for 3 hours and is also a classroom based session. It includes:

• Disability Awareness.
• Group discussion after viewing training related film.
• Safe use of ramps and different type of tail lifts.
• Wheelchair and passenger restraint equipment.
• Department for Transport codes of practice on safe carriage of passengers in wheelchairs.
• Good practice on passenger assistance.
• Information on disability, carrying children and professional etiquette.
• Theory Test.

At the end of this session, candidates will undergo a Practical Skills Assessment and sit a further written test paper, consisting of ten questions. The pass mark of the theory test is 80%.

Module One and Two: Practical assessments 

Each candidate will undertake an (up to 2 hour) on-the-road driving assessment. The assessment route takes into consideration a wide range of road conditions. The assessor provides feedback and advice to the candidate during the drive.

The practical assessment is held on the day following the theory course and will be taken in a minibus.

What do drivers get from the training?

Drivers who successfully complete the course and assessment will receive a nationally recognised certificate valid for four years and a comprehensive course material package.

Manual and Handling

Working within healthcare and social care often involves moving, lifting or otherwise handling people. With this in mind, our moving and handling training programmes are designed to highlight the risks and requirements associated with manual handling. Safe moving and handling requires healthcare employees to know the correct procedures for moving adults and children without causing injury to either themselves or the person they are supporting. This includes learning to use hoists and other aids, and being aware of the legislation surrounding moving and handling. Training may include moving and handling of patients or general moving and handling training.

Care Certificate Standard 13.

Call us now for information

020 8616 4744

info@openhearttraining.org