Job title: Driver / Escort
Salary: B1 £23,151.48 - £23,892.96 (pro rata)
Hours: 30 Hours a week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Passenger Transport, Westland Road, Leeds LS11 5SB.
As a Driver/Escort you’ll thrive on supporting the citizens of Leeds within CEL Passenger Transport. This is a busy operational frontline service that is frequently challenging and reactive due to the complexities associated with delivering statutory Special Educational Needs (SEN) transport and transport for Adult Social Care to approximately 4000 customers daily. In addition, Passenger Transport facilitates transport assistance for the council’s Children Looked After (CLA) service which involves collaborative work with Children and Families.
You will assist in the delivery of a high-quality professional service working closely with the Resources Scheduler and colleagues across the service to ensure the service meets or exceeds customer/client’s needs and expectations.
We are proud as a team to contribute to Leeds City Councils three pillars which are at the centre of the Best City Ambition and Child Friendly Leeds.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
As a Driver / Escort you will bring to the role:
- The ability to transport older people, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health problems and people with learning difficulties from home to centres and luncheon clubs as required, including assisting service users between home and the vehicle, and ensuring that the service users home is left safe and secure.
- The ability to operate a flexible transport service in relation to arrival and departure times in accordance with agreements between the Transport Manager and Day Centre Managers and to respond to changes in circumstances at short notice.
- Actively participate with Day Centre staff in outings to various locations as required e.g., trips, shopping, theatre etc.
- To undertake recreational based activities at Day Centre which provide stimulation and interest to the members e.g., participation in discussion groups and individual conversation, games and serving refreshments.
About the role
As our next Driver / Escort, you’ll lead by example, have a positive “can do attitude” be a team player and have the key skills to motivate yourself and colleagues through change whilst fully embracing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and promoting/living the council’s values.
The role is integral to our Transport Planning and Logistics team by delivering a front-line service assisting in the daytoday safe transportation for both Childrens & Families and Adult Social Care. Passenger Transport aim to deliver excellent customer care, which is a service priority, therefore you must be skilled and competent in communicating to a diverse customer base, you must be adaptable, professional, caring, customer focused and confident in developing positive relationships with service users, partner sites as well as with parents and guardians.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
- a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
- membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
- flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
- a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities.
- a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact csd.passengers@leeds.gov.uk
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s and Adult's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Leeds City Council Job Profile
Job purpose
To be able to drive, hold a valid driving licence, transporting some of the most vulnerable people of Leeds from their own homes to various locations throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Responsibilities
- Transporting older people, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health problems and people with learning difficulties from home to centres and luncheon clubs as required, including assisting services users between home and the vehicle, and ensuring that the service user’s home is left safe and secure.
- Operate a flexible transport service in relation to arrival and departure times in accordance with agreements between the Transport Manager and Day Centre Managers and to respond to changes in circumstances at short notice.
- Participate with Day Centre staff in outings to various locations as required e.g., trips, shopping, theatre etc.
- Undertake recreational based activities at Day Centre which provide stimulation and interest to the members e.g., participation in discussion groups and individual conversation, games and serving refreshments.
- Deliver community meals, ensuring the collection and recording of cash payments as required.
- Delivery of stationery, goods and materials including loading and unloading as required.
- Clean and washing of vehicles with appropriate machinery and equipment, routine daily and weekly maintenance and safety checks on vehicles and completion of appropriate logs and records as required.
- To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Fleet Deployment Manager.
- To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures, and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
- To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
- To be able to drive, holding a valid D1 driving licence, whilst keeping to a route schedule, always ensuring passenger safety.
- Ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally with service users, parents, carers, and staff in a pleasant and courteous manner.
- Sympathetic to and understand the needs of the service user.
- Ability to use own initiative to resolve minor problems.
- Writing skills sufficient to fill in log sheets, reports etc.
- Flexibility regarding changing of hours or areas of work.
- Ability to undertake moving and handling tasks i.e., manoeuvring of wheelchair users to and from the vehicle.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
- Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
- Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
- Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
- Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
- Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, Equality & Diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
- The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
- To hold an appropriate MIDAS certificate
- Experience of working with people in a caring capacity.
- Experience of working with people with a disability.
- Experience of driving a large vehicle in Leeds or other large cities.
- Experience of working within a team.
- Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.
