Time for the lollipop drop to stop

Britain is on the brink of a safety crisis outside schools due to a significant drop in the number of lollipop people.

This despite the role being hailed as “the perfect way to get back on the road to work” by Upturn, one of the country’s top 100 social enterprises.

Upturn believes this role is a fantastic opportunity to enhance social and communication skills while serving the community, sometimes even as a mentor.

The flexible weekly hours allow lollipop people to earn whilst still having the comfort blanket of accessing benefits whilst they make the transition into employment – meaning more “lolly” for them!

“We are directing all people, including a younger, more diverse workforce, to vacancies as school patrol officers,” said Maria Williams, Managing Director and Co-founder of Upturn. “Our traditional image of the lollipop person is someone older, and there is nothing wrong with that. But in 2024, we also need to attract more diverse groups to a flexible job that saves lives and helps you go places.”

First seen regularly following the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1967, there were more than 5,000 employed lollipop people in 2017. That number has since dwindled by a quarter, with local authority austerity and abusive motorists being blamed for the reduction. Meanwhile, ten children under seven years of age are injured in traffic accidents around schools every day during term time.

Maria continued, “A survey of Brits showed that nine out of ten believed that school crossings were much safer if staffed by a lollipopper. That makes it one of the most important jobs in our society. And yet, for various reasons, it has become a role nobody even thinks of doing.”

The benefits of being a school crossing patroller include:

• Working between seven and 12 hours a week, only during term time, allowing you to pursue other work, study or personal projects while still receiving benefits.
• Learning new people skills and interacting with pupils from diverse backgrounds, parents, grandparents, teachers, visitors to the school, and other pedestrians.
• The job satisfaction of preventing injuries and ensuring children get to school safely.
• Becoming a friendly, trusted face within your community, which can lead to other public-serving jobs.
• Serving as a first stepping stone into or back into employment.
• Helping to increase social interactions within the community.

Upturn is regularly present at career fairs, schools, libraries, and community events, offering expert career advice to disadvantaged people. Its network of businesses ensures it is in tune with skills gaps, with occupations like computer programmer, care worker, and lollipop people always in demand.

“If you doubt the value of a lollipop person, listen to this story from a Greater Manchester client,” concluded Maria. “Having experienced extreme trauma as a young child, one pupil became an elective mute. Counsellors and her deeply concerned parents could do nothing for her. Who got her to speak? The friendly lollipop person who greeted her outside school every day!”