Senior Transport Officer

COURTESY CARS REDHILL LIMITED; Redhill; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

Paid leave

Training opportunities

Supportive team focused on safety and…

Job summary

COURTESY CARS REDHILL LIMITED seeks an experienced Senior Transport Officer to lead Day-to-Day Home-to-School transport delivery, ensuring safe, punctual and cost-effective journeys for pupils. Role involves route planning, staff/contractor performance, compliance and continuous improvement, with on-site expectations in Redhill.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced setting, handles safeguarding sensitively and communicates effectively with schools, parents and care teams.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in Home-to-School operations.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and SEND transport needs.
• Ability to make quick decisions under pressure.
• Experience handling difficult conversations with parents, schools and staff.
• Proficiency with routing software and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Plan, review and optimise pupil routes and vehicle schedules.
• Manage relationships with schools and Local Authorities; monitor performance.
• Ensure transport activity complies with safeguarding and SEND requirements.
• Coordinate risk assessments and escort arrangements.
• Report incidents and delays; implement corrective actions.
• Advise liaise with schools, parents and social care.
• Mentor and supervise junior transport staff; arrange cover on short notice.
• Proven hands-on experience in Home-to-School or SEND transport operations.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and SEND transport needs.
• Make quick decisions under pressure and own the outcome.
• Communicate clearly with parents, schools, staff and pupils.

Skills

Route planning

Staff management

Compliance

Safeguarding

Decision making

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Routing software

MS Office Excel

Transport management systems

Job description

We are a well-established Home-to-School transport firm, providing safe, reliable transport for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). We are committed to high standards of safeguarding, compliance and excellent customer service.

Role Description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Transport Officer to lead the day-to-day delivery of our Home-to-School transport services. You will manage route planning, staff and contractor performance, compliance and continuous improvement, so that every pupil gets a safe, punctual and cost-effective journey.

This is not a 9 to 5 desk job.

Home-to-School transport moves fast. A staff member calls in sick. A pupil has a difficult morning. A road closes. A vehicle breaks down. Situations change by the minute, and every decision affects a child’s day.

We need someone who thrives in that. Someone who:

• Takes ownership and makes the call, without waiting to be told.
• Stays calm and clear-headed when things go wrong.
• Spots problems early and fixes them before they grow.
• Has real, hands-on experience in Home-to-School operations.
• Knows how to handle people: worried parents, frustrated schools, drivers under pressure, and children who need patience and care.

If you have done this work and understand the pace, we want to hear from you. If you prefer a quiet, predictable routine, this role is not for you.

Location

This role is based at our office in Redhill (RH1 2NL). You must already live within 15 to 20 miles of the office. The job often needs you on site at short notice, so a short commute matters.

We are unable to consider applications which require relocation support or applications from candidates living outside the UK. You must have the right to work in the UK.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, review and optimise pupil routes and vehicle schedules to meet demand and service levels.
• Manage relationships with schools and Local Authorities, monitor performance and enforce contract standards.
• Ensure all transport activity complies with statutory guidance, health and safety, safeguarding and SEND requirements.
• Coordinate passenger risk assessments, behaviour support plans and escort arrangements.
• Report and investigate incidents, complaints and delays. Put corrective actions in place and keep accurate records.
• Advise and liaise with schools, parents/carers, social care and other stakeholders.
• Mentor and supervise junior transport staff and arrange cover for absences, often at short notice.
• Proven, hands-on experience in Home-to-School or SEND passenger transport operations.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, SEND transport needs and relevant statutory guidance.
• Confident making quick decisions under pressure and owning the outcome.
• Experience handling difficult conversations and challenging situations with parents, schools, staff and pupils.
• Excellent organisational, problem-solving and staff/contractor management skills.
• Competent with routing/planning software, MS Office (especially Excel) and transport management systems.
• Clear written and verbal communication.

What we offer

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience).
• Pension, paid leave and training opportunities.
• A supportive team focused on safety and inclusion.
• The chance to make a direct impact on children’s journeys and wellbeing.