Passenger Assistant for school runs - London

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, flexible individual who is calm under pressure with good communication and people skills with regard to children (most of them have a special education need). You will need to be a team player, working closely with the driver transporting children with an enhanced care requirement, ensuring their comfort and safety.

A key task in this role is to physically assist children as necessary and help them on and off the vehicle.

The role involves working on a split shift to take children from home to school in the morning and return them home in the afternoon.

A full package of training will be provided to support you in this specialist role of Passenger Assistant should you be successful.

Due to the nature of the role the successful candidate will need to submit an enhanced DBS certificate not older than three years (we can assist with the application)., Reporting to: Passenger Assistant will liaise with the Controller's Department and SEN Department Manager

Responsible for: Supervision of the service user and ensuring the safety of the journey for everyone.

Main purpose of job: To actively escort passengers on transport who will be either vulnerable or SEN pupils (many of them will have a mild to severe special need) to and from their destination to ensure their comfort and safety.

Responsibilities, duties and tasks:

1. To monitor the number of passengers on the vehicle, and ensure that only authorised users travel.

2. To assist/supervise the passenger whilst boarding and alighting vehicles, including pushing and manoeuvring wheelchair users and carrying and lifting bags and luggage as necessary.

3. To ensure that safety standards are maintained at all times by ensuring that doors are properly closed, seatbelts fastened, child seats correctly fitted and child locks in use where appropriate, and wheelchairs are clamped appropriately to secure wheelchair user passengers (where applicable).

4. To actively assist with the use of passenger lifting equipment where required.

5. To ensure the safe evacuation of the vehicle and supervision of passengers in the event of an emergency, when visibility may be limited by smoke and access via the normal exits may be restricted.

6. To understand and meet any specific need of a passenger, as detailed in the care plan or other instructions provided

7. To ensure that the driver is not distracted by passengers during the journeys made.

8. To act as the communication link between establishments (e.g. day centres, special schools) and parents/carers or other involved persons, as appropriate.

9. To report any specific problems concerning the conduct or behaviour of passengers on the transport to the head of establishment.

10. To ensure safe keeping of all other personal possessions.

11. To deal with minor injuries (i.e. cuts, bruises) and report as appropriate.

12. To effectively deal with sickness and incontinence problems.

13. To take appropriate action where carers/parents are not available to take charge of a passenger (guidance will be provided).

General Duties:

• To maintain personal and professional development to meet the changing demands of the job, participate in appropriate training activities.


• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.


Contacts:

In all contacts the post holder will be required to present a good image of the Company maintaining constructive relationships.

Internal: Passenger and Driver

External: Carers/Parents/School

Notes:

• This post is subject to a criminal record check under the arrangements established by the Criminal Records Bureau.


• The Company reserves the right to alter the content of this job description, after consultation to reflect changes to the job or services provided, without altering the general character or level of responsibility.


• The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all employees and service users.
  
  Enhanced DBS/CRB certificate not older than three years


It is desirable that the post holder has:

• PATS Training


• Paediatric First Aid


EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE:

It is desirable that the post holder has:

• Experience of working in a caring environment


• Experience of working with passengers with special needs.


SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

It is essential that the post holder has:

• The ability to understand and carry out instructions accurately while working without direct supervision


• Reliable and trustworthy


• The flexibility to work at short notice


• The ability to work a variable pattern


• A caring nature


• The ability to communicate orally (good level of spoken English)


• The ability to understand and maintain the confidentiality of their work


• Physically able to manage the demands of the role, including having the ability to bend, stretch, reach, twist, turn and kneel, within the confined spaces of a passenger transport vehicle, according to the instructions provided.


ADDITIONAL FACTORS:

It is essential that the post holder has:

• The ability to undertake training appropriate to the post


• The ability to move passengers if required and where safe to do so, including pushing and manoeuvring wheelchair users and clamping the wheelchairs into the vehicle. Manual handling training will be provided.


• The ability to carry bags and other service user luggage and lift this onto the vehicle, passenger assistant: 1 year (preferred)


Licence/Certification:

• Enhanced DBS/CRB certificate (required)


• PATS training (preferred)