This is an interesting query.  We do advertise these kind of vacancies but to be honest I haven’t considered the insurance implications for students who would effectively be using their vehicle for ‘business use’. 

Obviously this could also have implications for liability if there were to be any fault with the vehicle in which the children were travelling.  I think in reality the parents would probably not have thought this all through and this is fairly standard with nannies for example.

Perhaps it would be wise to take on a case by case basis and point out to the employer the possible issues, giving them the opportunity to discuss with the student prior to agreeing their appointment – in other words putting the onus of responsibility on the employer and student rather than yourselves. 

You could also put this in writing or add something to the vacancy (or your agreement with employers/contract?) which makes students aware of the responsibility they would effectively be agreeing to, and what the implications were, and to perhaps consult with their insurer prior to agreeing to using their own vehicle.

Becky Gallagher sent me 2 useful documents, one Joblink Tips for Employers and one for Students which covers many of the Private Employer issues ([log in to unmask]) 

We have set us a short guide for private employers just mentioning, disclosure, the obligations in checking that international students have the right to work, national insurance, personal liability etc. We have not ever come up with a fail safe strategy for dealing with this issue.