Job title: Passenger Assistant
Salary: A2 £23,151.48 pro rata)
Hours: 16 Hours a week
Contract: NJC Local Government Services
Location: Passenger Transport, Westland Road, Leeds LS11 5SB
As a Passenger Assistant you’ll thrive on supporting the citizens of Leeds with a transportation service. 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 4,000 customers daily.
You will assist in the delivery of a high-quality professional service working closely with the Team Leader 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 Passenger Assistant you will bring to the role:
- The ability to accompany and supervise passengers on journeys from home, to and from school, college or day care centre, taking responsibility for their conduct and safety during the journey.
- Assisting passengers into and out of the vehicle, at home and at destination, ensuring that they are seated comfortably and securely before setting off (this may involve the use of specialist equipment such as wheelchair clamps or postural support harnesses).
- Provide a safe, comfortable and stress-free journey to the destination and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of passengers and create a positive environment on the vehicle.
- Liaise between parents / guardians, schools, colleges and day care centres, drivers and Passenger Transport personnel to ensure an efficient and effective service is provided for the passengers in their care.
- Adhere to the guidance issued in relation to the handling of passengers, dealing with and reporting accidents, incidents and hazards in line with current Health & Safety policies and regulations.
About the role
As our next Passenger Assistant, you’ll lead by example, have a positive “can do attitude” be a team player and have the key skills to be a welcoming face of Passenger Transport and fully embracing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion whilst promoting/living the council’s values.
The role is integral to our logistics team in delivering this front-line service and assisting in the day-to-day safe transportation of individuals on behalf of Childrens & Families and Adult Social Care. Passenger Assistants are responsible for a safe comfortable and stress-free journey and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of passengers and create a positive environment on the vehicle.
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
Assisting passengers during journeys to and from home and school, college or day care centre in either minibuses or cars. The majority of the passengers transported will have special needs and varying degrees of learning difficulties and/or physical disabilities. The post can be very demanding. Applicants need to be able to cope with occasional stressful situations and challenging behaviour. Previous experience of working with children or adults with disabilities would be an advantage.
Responsibilities
- To accompany and supervise passengers on journeys from home, to and from school, college or day care centre, taking responsibility for their conduct and safety during the journey.
- Where necessary, to assist passengers into and out of the vehicle, at home and at destination, ensuring that they are seated comfortably and securely before setting off (this may involve the use of specialist equipment such as wheelchair clamps or postural support harnesses).
- Provide a safe, comfortable and stress-free journey to the destination and have a positive impact on the wellbeing of passengers and creative a positive environment on the vehicle.
- Liaise between parents / guardians, schools, colleges and day care centres, drivers and Passenger Transport personnel to ensure an efficient and effective service is provided for the passengers in their care.
- Adhere to the guidance issued in relation to the handling of passengers, dealing with and reporting accidents, incidents and hazards in line with current Health & Safety policies and regulations.
- Be aware of and comply with all Leeds City Council Policies and Procedures including but not exclusive to Equal Opportunities, Data Protection and Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults.
- It should be noted that this job description is subject to occasional changes to incorporate other commensurate duties and responsibilities in response to organisational change/review and to assist flexibility. The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post as specified by the appropriate.
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.
- Ability to identify individual’s needs.
- Ability to communicate with a wide range of people.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Ability to accept and act on instructions.
- To have undertaken PATS Training Scheme or be willing to do this before starting in the role.
- Basic level of numeracy and literacy.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
- Flexible approach to work.
- Of maintaining professional relationships and awareness of professional boundaries.
- 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.
- Experience of working with people with disabilities.
- Experience of working with students with special educational needs.
- Experience of working with members of the public.
