Passenger Assistant

Hertfordshire County Council; Stevenage, East Hertfordshire, Tonwell; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Hertfordshire County Council is seeking a Passenger Assistant in Stevenage to support pupils with SEND. The role requires compassionate, professional service and safeguarding focus, ensuring safe journeys to and from school.

Starting salary £26,016 rising to £26,427 per annum on a pro‑rata basis for part-time work, with a permanent contract and training provided. The post works in a two‑person crew with the driver, supporting pupils throughout transit.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse clients including children, parents and school staff.
• Ability to follow care instructions and provide timely updates.
• Basic reporting and documentation skills for required records.
• Assist clients on/off buses; manage steps, doors, straps and harnesses.
• Experience with wheelchair equipment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Transport children and young adults safely, prioritising welfare.
• Provide care duties during travel; assist with boarding/alighting.
• Work as part of a two-person crew with the driver.
• Operate tailgate-lift and secure wheelchairs using clamps and straps.
• Follow service communications and complete team records.
• Respond to special needs per risk assessments; training provided.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Follow care instructions

Reporting and documentation

Assist boarding/alighting

Wheelchair equipment handling

Teamwork

Job description

Job Title: Passenger Assistant

Starting Salary: £26,016 progressing to £26,427 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 17.5 hours per week (3.5 hours split shift per day) 7:45 am - 9:30 am (1 hour 45 minutes) and 14:45 pm - 15:30 pm (1 hour 45 minutes)

Location: Based in Stevenage for training purposes. Routes cover transport to Amwell View or Tonwell School

Contract Type: Permanent

Directorate: Growth & Environment

About the team

This role plays a vital role in helping children and young people withSpecial Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), access education safely and reliably. We work closely with schools, families and specialist services to make sure every pupil receives the support they require during their journey to and from school. As a Passenger Assistant, you'll be part of a friendly, dedicated group who share a commitment to safeguarding, inclusion and providing a calm, supportive environment from the moment pupils step on board.

About the role

Duties include:

• Assisting in the transport of children and young adults in a safe, caring manner, ensuring their welfare is prioritised
• Providing care duties associated with transport services. For example, assisting passengers to prepare for their journey; on or off the vehicle; and ensuring passengers are safe and comfortable when they are on the vehicle
• Working as part of a team in the delivery of the service
• Operating the vehicle tailgate-lift during the boarding and alighting of passengers in wheelchairs following appropriate training
• Ensuring the safe application of wheelchair clamps and straps and other specialist equipment
• Ensuring that all communication issued by the service is followed and adhered to
• Complete records as required by team procedures
• Passenger Assistants will be aware of delivering support for any special needs of the children on board the vehicle and be able to react to requests and incidents by following the child's risk assessment or reporting upward to senior staff. Full training will be provided in order for Passenger Assistants to deliver specific care requirements.
• Reporting to the Senior Transport Co-ordinator, the Passenger Assistant will work with the Driver of the vehicle as part of a two-person crew.

About you

We are looking for caring, compassionate, and professional individuals who can provide a friendly and consistent service with the following qualities and skills:

Essential

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact for clients from a variety of backgrounds including children, parents, and school staff
• Ability to follow care instructions as delivered and provide updates when requested
• Basic reporting and documentation skills ability for compiling required reports
• Ability to assist clients on and off the buses and be able to manage bus steps, doors, straps, and harnesses
• Additionally, the selection process will look at proximity to the planned routes. Please state your location clearly in your application form.

Desirable

• Background in working with children with SEN
• English Fluency. The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).

We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.

This job role is Level 4. Please locate the job profile here:

Interview Date: Interviews arranged on a rolling basis

Additional information

We are changing

Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), creating a unique opportunity to help shape the future of local services. To find out more, visit

DisabilityConfident

We are proud to be a and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.