SEN School Transport Lead

Bus Éireann; Leinster; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent contract

25 days annual leave (28 after 5 years

Pension scheme

Welfare scheme

Employee assistance programme

Subsidised canteen

Travel concessions

Job summary

Bus Éireann is seeking a Senior SEN Transport Lead to drive strategic development and transformation of SEN transport services across Ireland. You will govern current operations while delivering policy-driven changes, service innovation and continuous improvement to meet the evolving needs of students, families and stakeholders.

You will work with the Central School Transport Office and DEY to implement recommendations, oversee applications and performance reporting, and lead cross-functional

Qualifications

• Third-level qualification in a related discipline.
• Extensive knowledge of school transport operations and service planning.
• Ability to translate policy changes into operational processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead governance of the current SEN transport processes and ensure policy compliance.
• Oversee ~7,000 annual SEN transport applications and changes.
• Provide QA of assessment and decision-making against DEY policies.
• Translate DEY policy changes into new business processes and service models.
• Lead data-driven planning, forecasting and budgeting for SEN transport.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Governance & policy

Data analysis

Budgeting & forecasting

Transport planning

Stakeholder management

GIS mapping

Change management

Education

Third-level qualification in Business, Transport, Operations Management, Public Administration, Project Management, Education

Tools

Trapeze

GIS software

Job description

The Special Educational Needs Schools Transport Lead is responsible for leading the strategic development and transformation of SEN transport services, ensuring that current operations are effectively governed while driving the implementation of future Department of Education and Youth (DEY) policy changes, service innovation, digital transformation and continuous improvement initiatives that support the evolving needs of students, families and stakeholders.

Working closely with local offices, the Central School Transport Office, external stakeholders and government departments, this postholder will lead the management of SEN transport applications, service planning, operational performance, reporting and budget oversight to support the delivery of high-quality transport services for students and their families. This role will also be required to engage with DEY to implement the recommendations of the DEY scheme review to promote inclusion and independent living for those students using SEN transport which has grown significantly since 2019 with over 24,000 SEN students transported on a daily basis.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the documentation, review and governance of the current annual SEN transport application, assessment and approval process, ensuring clear process ownership, robust controls, compliance with policy requirements and identification of improvement opportunities.
• Manage the annual review, assessment and approval of all SEN transport applications, including new applications, changes of address, changes of school and other amendments, ensuring the accurate and timely processing of approximately 7,000 applications each school year.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance of application assessment and decision-making processes, ensuring consistency, transparency and adherence to Department of Education and Youth (DEY) policies, eligibility criteria and service standards.
• Translate new DEY policy decisions, legislative changes and operational requirements into effective business processes, procedures and service delivery models, ensuring successful implementation across the SEN transport function.
• Act as the subject matter expert on SEN transport policy and operational delivery, providing guidance and support to local offices and key stakeholders on policy interpretation, implementation and governance.
• Profile, forecast and analyse SEN transport demand by special school and special class, developing data-driven insights to support strategic planning, capacity management, resource allocation and future service design.
• Collaborate with local offices to identify, develop and implement effective, efficient and customer-centred transport solutions that meet the evolving needs of students availing of SEN transport services.
• Lead continuous review of SEN transport networks to identify opportunities for optimisation, integration, improved customer outcomes and more sustainable service delivery.
• Drive service transformation initiatives using data analytics, digital solutions, process redesign and best practice methodologies to improve efficiency, customer experience and operational performance.
• Represent Bus Éireann on DEY working groups, policy forums and cross-functional projects, supporting the development and implementation of strategic initiatives relating to SEN transport as required.
• Work closely with the Central School Transport Office, Chief Schools Officer and DEY to support reporting requirements, policy implementation, sanction processes and the provision of accurate operational, financial and performance information.
• Develop and maintain performance metrics, governance frameworks and management reporting to monitor service effectiveness, policy compliance, customer outcomes and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead the review of leavers' lists, duplicate applications and other data integrity issues, ensuring the accuracy, completeness and reliability of SEN transport data within the Trapeze system and other relevant systems.
• Continuously monitor, evaluate and improve individual SEN transport services, proactively identifying risks, resolving issues and implementing service enhancements aligned with operational and strategic objectives.
• Ensure accurate digital mapping and system data are maintained and continuously improved to support effective route planning, service optimisation and future transport planning requirements.
• Support and oversee communications with SEN families, ensuring information regarding application status, transport arrangements, policy changes and service updates is timely, clear, consistent and customer focused.
• Maintain oversight of escort provision on SEN transport services, ensuring appropriate deployment, accurate record-keeping and compliance with relevant operational, safety and safeguarding requirements.
• Lead the planning, monitoring and control of annual SEN transport budgets, expenditure and cost performance, identifying opportunities for efficiency, value for money and sustainable service delivery.
• Identify emerging trends, future service requirements and opportunities for innovation, developing recommendations that support the long-term evolution and modernisation of Bus Eireann SEN transport services.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, schools, families, DEY representatives and operational teams to support effective collaboration, policy implementation and the successful delivery of SEN transport services.
• Enhance the approach to the preparation of information to respond to external queries and ensure GDPR compliance with any information being provided.

KEY SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

• Qualifications and sector expertise: Third-level qualification in Business, Transport, Operations Management, Public Administration, Project Management, Education or a related discipline, a relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous. Extensive knowledge of the school system, school transport operations and service planning, including the ability to balance customer, operational and financial requirements.
• SEN policy, legislation and governance: Strong understanding of SEN transport services, relevant legislation, regulatory requirements, Department of Education and Youth (DEY) policies and public sector governance frameworks, with the ability to translate policy and legislative changes into effective operational processes and service delivery models.
• Process improvement and transformation: Proven experience reviewing and improving end-to-end processes, strengthening governance and compliance, and leading service transformation and continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable operational, financial and customer benefits.
• Data, planning and financial management: Excellent analytical, planning and problem-solving skills, with experience managing and interpreting complex operational, financial and customer data, developing performance measures and management information, and ensuring data integrity. Strong financial management capability, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control and business case development.
• Transport planning and service optimisation: Experience in transport planning, route optimisation, GIS mapping and scheduling systems, with experience of Trapeze or equivalent transport management platforms advantageous. Ability to use data, technology and operational insight to optimise services and respond to changing demand.
• Leadership, delivery and stakeholder management: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, implement new processes and deliver strategic objectives within defined timelines. Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across government departments, schools, families, service providers and internal teams.
• Strategic and customer focus: Strong customer and service orientation, strategic thinking and commercial awareness, with the ability to anticipate future demand, identify emerging trends and contribute to the long-time development and modernisation of SEN transport services. Highly organised, resilient and adaptable, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a complex and evolving environment.

Joining Bus Éireann means becoming part of a respected national transport company that plays a vital role in connecting communities across Ireland. We are committed to supporting our employees through competitive pay, professional development opportunities, and a positive work environment that encourages career progression and work-life balance.

As part of our commitment to employee well-being and long-term career development, we offer a comprehensive range of benefits.

• Contract: Permanent
• Annual leave: 25 days increasing to 28 after 5 years’ service
• Subsidised GP Scheme for yourself, your partner and dependents up to age of 16
• Travel concession on CIE services for yourself and dependents
• Residential travel on CIE services to and from workplace
• Pension Scheme
• Welfare Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Subsidised canteen

Bus Éireann is proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can achieve their potential.