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Do you want to become a MiDAS Provider?

Rather than accessing MiDAS through an existing provider, you may want to be able to deliver MiDAS yourselves. This can be a good option particularly if you have a large number of people requiring training or if you struggle to find an existing provider close to you. It also allows you to deliver MiDAS to other organisations in your area. You can find out more about the steps involved with becoming a MiDAS Provider below.

Step 1 – Understand the responsibilities of a MiDAS Provider

In order to become a MiDAS Provider your organisation must:

Be passionate about passenger safety
Be committed to maintaining and supporting the MiDAS Standard – Safe, Legal, Comfortable
Have a Driver Assessor (more on how to become a Driver Assessor below)

There’s some more practical responsibilities too – You must:

Have policies and procedures in place to ensure that anyone undertaking a MiDAS course with your organisation is treated equally and is not discriminated against. This includes being able to provide reasonable additional support or assistance to candidates where required
Ensure that any records you keep are in line with your privacy policy
Ensure that suitable training venues, vehicles and equipment are used
Ensure that there are effective processes in place to quality assure the courses being delivered by your Driver Assessor(s)
Ensure that appropriate insurance is in place such as employer’s liability cover and professional indemnity cover

Sound like your organisation? The next step is to identify someone from your organisation to become a Driver Assessor.

Step 2 – Identify a suitable candidate to train as a Driver Assessor

One of the key requirements of becoming a MiDAS Provider is to have a Driver Assessor (DA). Becoming a DA involves an intensive course delivered over 2 days, with an additional day for candidates who would also like to deliver the MiDAS Accessible module for Drivers. Candidates musts be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

General requirements

Passionate about passenger safety and supportive of the MiDAS approach to minibus safety
Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
Ability to communicate effectively
Understanding of minibus legislation, health and safety legislation and the Highway Code

Driving experience

Current MiDAS Standard certificate
Current driving licence with minibus entitlement
Recent minibus or large vehicle driving experience

Assessment and demonstration skills

Ability to assess competence against given criteria
Ability to provide accurate feedback
Ability to recognise unsafe or incorrect practice
Ability to demonstrate good practice

Disability Awareness (for those wishing to deliver the Accessible MiDAS course)

Current MiDAS Accessible certificate
Knowledge of minibus passenger safety issues for disabled people
Recent and regular experience of assisting people with disabilities (including wheelchair users) to travel by accessible vehicle

Over the course, candidates will cover the following topics

Day 1	MiDAS Structure Individual Practical Session for MiDAS Drivers Licence Checks MiDAS Driving Assessment MiDAS Pass/Fail Criteria (Measuring “Safe, Legal & Comfortable”) Common Minibus Driving Faults
Day 2	Driving Fault Identification & Analysis Constructive Driving Feedback On-Road Session: Driving Assessment Appraisal of Assessment Skills
Day 3 (Optional)	Passenger awareness and assistance Using passenger lifts and ramps Assisting passengers who travel in their wheelchairs MiDAS Accessible Assessments

In order to pass, candidates will be assessed on their ability to:

Demonstrate effective feedback techniques
Demonstrate accurate assessment scoring
Pass a multiple choice theory assessment with a mark of at least 80%
Demonstrate the ability to accurately assess a driver using wheelchair tie down and occupant restraint systems.

If successful, a Driver Assessor certificate will be issued which lasts for 2 years. This can be renewed through a 1 day refresher course.

Step 3 – Find your local Training Centre for DA Training

We are excited to announce our first three Training Centres who will be offering DA Induction courses from Summer 2024. You can contact each Training Centre directly to find out more about course dates and prices. Over the coming months we will also be announcing more Training Centres as we continue to build the network.