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Would you like to join a local authority committed to improving residents’ quality of life?

West Sussex County Council (WSCC) operate a range of home to school and adults services transport routes across the County.

As part of our team, you will enable vulnerable people to achieve the best possible personal outcomes. You will do this by providing a reliable and consistent, safe transport service.

We're looking for people with an outward looking, caring and professional approach. The ideal person will naturally go above and beyond; acknowledging that our passengers value a friendly face and someone who is thoughtful and considerate.

Sound like an opportunity you would be interested in, Read more.

We are looking for Passenger Assistants to join our School Transport team based across the county.

Salary Range: £10.60 to £10.79 per hour.

Work Location: Broad Bridge Heath Depot, Horsham.

Contract type: Permanent, term time only (39 weeks, plus 5.4 weeks annual leave).

Hours per week: 15 – 25 hours per week (Split Shift: 7am -10am / 2pm – 5pm).

Closing date for this role is March 2024 however, we will review applications on a rolling basis therefore, you will be contacted within 2 weeks of your application.

As a Passenger Assistant you will travel to and from schools and other venues, in minibuses, cars and taxis. You will ensure the safe transport of vulnerable adults and school children with special needs.

You will provide a safe, secure and happy environment for passengers, while in transit between destinations. You will also ensure that the passengers safely board and alight from the vehicles and that they are delivered to their venue in a safe way.

Your day-to-day tasks will include:

• Interpreting situations and events as they arise to solve straightforward problems concerning the wellbeing of the passenger or smooth running of the journey.
• Fastening seat belts.
• Attaching booster seats and ensure that passengers are properly seated.
• Working in conjunction with the driver and any other passenger assistants in the vehicle.
• Ensuring that all equipment, such as wheelchairs, are carefully stowed and secured when in transit.
• Working collaboratively and convey messages between the school and the pupil’s parents about their health and wellbeing.

Key Skills:

• Very good communication skills, in order to communicate effectively with adults and children with special needs, their carers, family members and teachers.
• High levels of patience and sensitivity, able to deal effectively with adults and children with either medical or behavioural needs, calmly and with care for their wellbeing.
• Basic literacy and numeracy skills.
• Able to understand and communicate in basic non-verbal signals –such as an adult unable to speak pointing to something they want.
• A basic understanding of Makaton in order to communicate with those passengers with learning difficulties.

Qualifications and/or experience:

• Previous experience working with, or caring for, children or adults, in some capacity, including voluntary work, paid work or through family commitments.
• Knowledge of how to operate and secure items such as booster seats, wheel chairs and similar devices.
• Basic first aid training.
• Knowledge of how to operate and secure items such as booster seats, wheel chairs and similar devices.
• Basic first aid training.

Our values and support for one another is intrinsic to everything we do and will be a key priority within the assessment for this post. We care hugely about wellbeing, allowing time for a good laugh, and developing our team to be the best they can be. Alongside this, we also offer the below benefits.

• A competitive salary.
• Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring.
• A range of discounts (Including Samsung, Argos, Wickes, TUI, Deliveroo and Asos).
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres.
• A range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives.

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee, go to our Rewards and Benefits page.

The reference number for this role is EIE01022 .

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please visit our featured School transport jobs site. For issues or queries regarding your application please contact [email protected].

For information about the role contact [email protected].

Struggling to apply? Book onto a Computer Buddy Session in a library near you to get help navigating our application form.

To apply, upload your CV and complete the application explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and health check.

West Sussex County Council is an equal opportunities employer committed to promoting an environment that is inclusive and free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of its people. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and take every possible step to ensure that no individual will be disadvantaged.

For information regarding your eligibility to apply for this role under our Disability or Veteran’s Guaranteed Interview Scheme, this can be found on our application help page.

Note for Recruitment Agencies: We prefer to hire people directly, but we do have a supplier list for when we need a helping hand. We'll be in touch directly if we need you!

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