Introduction

Introduction

Road crashes are a leading cause of unintentional death for children in New Zealand. Road crashes can happen to anyone at any time. Child restraint use is a proven strategy for reducing death and injury in road crashes. An appropriate child restraint that is correctly fitted needs to be used every time a child travels in a vehicle.

Child restraints can be difficult to install. This can result in people either not using a restraint correctly or not using a child restraint at all. Therefore, Child Restraint Technicians (CRTs) play an important role in keeping children safe on our roads. They can provide informed advice on the type of child restraint needed. While a CRT is not a legal requirement and Waka Kotahi does not independently verify or assess their training, linking to a competence-based system allows the skills and knowledge required to become a CRT to be applied consistently across the country. Linkage to child restraint competencies also allows a range of organisations to deliver training to differing technicians. If you are working in the area of child restraints, you may have many roles:

• selling/hiring child restraints in a retail store
• selling/hiring and installing child restraints through a rental scheme
• participating in child restraint checking clinics
• providing advice to parents and caregivers
• installing child restraints in rental vehicles
• moving child restraints between vehicles to transport children in childcare settings

Whatever role you are playing in the area of child restraints, if you intend to provide advice and assist others, you are encouraged to become a CRT.

This manual covers the legal requirements (see page 6) surrounding child restraints within New Zealand and provides recommendations for the safe travel of children in vehicles.

Assessment Process for CRTs

Before practicing as a CRT, you are encouraged to obtain two competencies. This may ensure that all CRTs have the skills and knowledge required to carry out this role competently.

The two competencies are:

• Demonstrate knowledge of child restraints to provide advice for installation, rental or sale (knowledge competency).
• Select approved child restraints for installation, rental or sale, and install them (practical competency).

If you only need to know how to select and use child restraints as part of your job, rather than install them, you will only need to obtain one competency (knowledge-based).

There is a process that you will have to go through to obtain the relevant competencies. If you are new to the sector, you will undergo training and then be assessed in either just the knowledge-based competency, if you just require this for your job role, or both competencies if you wish to become a registered CRT.

Assessment Overview

• The knowledge competency is assessed by a theory test, where you can use your reference manual.
• If major legislative changes occur, reassessment may be required.
• The practical competency assessment occurs after passing the theory test and involves being observed installing a range of child restraints.
• To maintain currency, practical reassessment is required every two years.

People holding both competencies will be recognised as a CRT.

Communication Considerations

CRTs may work with a variety of cultural groups. Awareness of cultural differences is important, including:

• Language barriers for those with English as a second language
• Religious or gender-based preferences in interactions
• Attitudes toward authority figures
• Reluctance to question authority

These factors may affect how people respond. It’s important to help them feel confident with their new knowledge and skills.

As a CRT, your role is to explain best practice in simple, clear terms. Best practice is the most acceptable way to transport a child based on age, weight, height, and development.

When issues don’t have a clear answer, explain legal requirements and safe options, then allow the caregiver to choose what works best for them.