At a Glance
- Tasks: Transport children with Special Educational Needs safely and compassionately.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Term time only, flexible hours, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop skills in a rewarding and impactful role.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of a child's journey to education and support their unique needs.
- Qualifications: Full UK driving licence and experience with SEND preferred.
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REPORTS TO: Service Delivery Manager / Operations Manager
CONTRACT TYPE: Term Time only
LOCATION: Aberdeen
JOB PURPOSE
To provide safe, reliable and compassionate transport for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), transporting them between home and school or other designated establishments in accordance with the operator's contractual obligations, relevant legislation, and the individual needs of each passenger.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Driving and Service Delivery
- Operate allocated vehicles safely and in accordance with all relevant road traffic legislation and licensing requirements.
- Adhere strictly to agreed routes, timetables and pick-up/drop-off points, notifying the controller immediately of any delays exceeding 15 minutes.
- Ensure passengers are collected and delivered punctually, arriving at the pick-up point at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
- Never drop off a passenger more than 20 minutes before the scheduled arrival time at their destination (5 minutes for ASN/SEND passengers).
- Ensure all passengers are seated and safely secured before moving the vehicle, including correct fitting of seatbelts, child seats, and wheelchair restraints where required.
- Never permit passengers to stand while the vehicle is in motion or allow more than one passenger per seat.
Passenger Care
- Treat all passengers with dignity, respect and patience at all times, and with particular sensitivity to the additional support needs of individual passengers.
- Be fully briefed on and adhere to any individual passenger requirements or behavioural guidance provided by the operator or commissioning authority.
- Manage challenging behaviour in a calm, non-confrontational manner; never physically restrain a passenger without explicit written authorisation.
- Never eject a passenger from the vehicle under any circumstances.
- Ensure no passenger is left unattended or allowed to walk home unsupervised.
Vehicle Standards
- Conduct pre-shift vehicle checks and report any defects, prohibitions or maintenance issues to management immediately.
- Maintain the vehicle in a clean and presentable condition at all times (interior swept daily, full clean every 4 weeks as a minimum).
- Ensure all required equipment is present and serviceable prior to each shift, including fire extinguisher, first aid kit, wheelchair restraints and any specialist equipment specified for individual passengers.
- Never operate a vehicle that is unroadworthy, unlicensed or uninsured.
Communication and Reporting
- Carry and use an operational mobile phone or communication device at all times during service hours, used only in accordance with legal requirements (hands-free).
- Notify the control room promptly of any incidents, accidents, breakdowns, delays or safeguarding concerns.
- Report all accidents to the appropriate authorities and management; submit a written report within 24 hours of any incident.
- Report any safeguarding concerns or incidents involving passengers to management without delay.
Compliance and Conduct
- Hold and maintain all required licences, certificates and disclosures for the role.
- Display identification at all times when on duty.
- Comply with the operator's policies on conduct, equal opportunities, data protection, and child protection at all times.
- Attend training as required, including safeguarding awareness, disability awareness and manual handling.
- Never report for duty under the influence of alcohol or any mind-altering substance.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Full, clean UK driving licence (appropriate category for vehicle type operated).
- Minimum 2 Years driving experience (excluding motorcycles).
- 21 years of age or above.
- PVG disclosure (Scotland) — must be obtained prior to commencement.
- Satisfactory completion of relevant safeguarding and child protection awareness training.
- Ability to communicate clearly and calmly with passengers, families and colleagues.
- Punctual, reliable and flexible approach to working hours.
DESIRABLE
- Previous experience transporting passengers with SEND, ASN, or complex needs.
- FAW certificate.
- Experience with wheelchair-accessible vehicles and restraint systems.
- Knowledge of local area road network.
KEY BEHAVIOURS
- Patient, empathetic and professional at all times.
- Calm under pressure and able to manage unpredictable situations.
- Takes personal responsibility for passenger safety.
- Team player who communicates proactively.
Locations
Special Education Needs in Highland, Inverness employer: Lawfront
Join our dedicated team in Aberdeen, where we prioritise compassion and safety in transporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, ensuring you feel valued and empowered in your role. With a focus on teamwork and respect, we offer a fulfilling environment that makes a real difference in the lives of our passengers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Education Needs in Highland, Inverness
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Lawfront.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Lawfront!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Lawfront, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Lawfront or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Education Needs in Highland, Inverness
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Lawfront:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lawfront! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawfront
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
