Passenger Assistant

We're launching a specialist minibus service dedicated to transporting children with special educational needs (SEN) safely and with dignity. As a Passenger Assistant, you'll be the reassuring presence on each journey, partnering with our drivers, families, and school teams to deliver calm, consistent support. Your role will be crucial in creating a positive, routine experience that sets our pupils up for a successful school day.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist pupils boarding and alighting the minibus, including wheelchair users and those with mobility support needs
• Support and supervise pupils throughout the journey, implementing individual care and behaviour plans
• Secure child safety seats, harnesses, wheelchairs, and restraint equipment correctly for each trip
• Maintain a calm, inclusive cabin environment, using de-escalation techniques when needed
• Monitor well-being, recognising distress or discomfort and responding promptly
• Communicate route updates, concerns, or incidents to the driver, parents, and school staff
• Complete journey logs, behaviour reports, and incident forms accurately and on time
• Uphold all safeguarding, health & safety, and SEN transport policies at every stage

Required Qualifications & Experience

• GCSEs or equivalent, with strong literacy and numeracy skills
• Eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check and Safer recruitment checks
• Experience supporting children or young people with SEN, disabilities, or additional needs
• Basic understanding of manual handling protocols and/or willingness to train
• Clear, confident communication skills in English

Desired Attributes

• Genuine empathy, patience, and a calm demeanour under pressure
• Strong observational skills and attention to detail
• Adaptability to changing routines, routes, and individual needs
• Collaborative mindset, comfortable working closely with drivers and school staff
• Respectful, professional attitude that honours each pupil's dignity and privacy
• Proactive problem-solver who anticipates needs and adjusts support accordingly

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate plus holiday pay
• Term-time working pattern, with opportunities for school-trip and holiday cover
• Comprehensive induction and ongoing training in SEN awareness, safeguarding, and first aid
• A supportive, mission-driven team culture focused on continuous improvement
• Clear pathways for career progression across our growing SEN transport and care network

Safeguarding

Here at First Steps Together, we're committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and promoting that commitment. We expect all our staff and volunteers to share in it, too, which is why – as part of the selection process – we'll carry out all the necessary checks to ensure you don't pose any risk of harm in your role here.

Join us and you'll be expected to actively contribute to our safeguarding commitment and promote child welfare in line with the school's Child Protection Policy. If ever there's a concern or issue, you'll be ready to report it to your Designated Safeguarding Lead or, in their absence, any Deputy Safeguarding Lead.

Review

The nature of this role means that this job description will be subject to an annual review with the potential for amendment or modification at any time after consultation directly with you. It by no means acts as a comprehensive statement of procedures and is just a way of setting out all the main expectations we'll have of you, here in the role as you deliver an impassioned and truly caring experience to our young people.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: £12.90-£15.00 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Referral programme

Work Location: On the road