Independent Travel Trainer in Winchester

Salary Range: £33,178 - £36,369 per annum

Hours per week: 37 (part time hours may be considered)

Contract Type: Temporary until March 2028

Closing Date: 15 July 2026

Early applications are encouraged as we may close the advert ahead of the stated closing date.

The Role:

Join our newly formed Independent Travel Training team within the School Transport Service and help shape a service that empowers young people to become confident, independent travellers. As an Independent Travel Trainer, you’ll support children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to build the skills and confidence they need to travel independently and take positive steps toward adulthood. You’ll predominantly support children and young people in Fareham, Gosport, Eastleigh and the New Forest, including Lymington, New Milton and Ringwood. This is a brand new service, so you’ll be joining at a pivotal moment, with the chance to shape how our new independent travel training is delivered across Hampshire, and be able to make a meaningful, lasting impact on young people’s lives.

What you’ll do:

• Play a vital and rewarding role in helping children and young people, particularly with SEND, gain the confidence and skills to travel independently by facilitating and delivering travel training.
• Tailor training plans to the unique needs of each young person, working closely with families, schools, and other services to ensure a safe, positive learning experience that promotes their ability to make decisions and develop confidence in travelling independently.
• Conduct detailed assessments, including home visits, to determine suitability for training and to develop personalised travel plans.
• Monitor progress, keeping accurate records, providing regular feedback, and attend SEN review meetings where required.
• Promote Independent Travel Training across schools, SEND teams, parents, and other partners, identifying opportunities for young people to take part.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensuring robust safeguarding, health and safety, and data protection practices.
• Work flexibly across various locations in Hampshire, including early mornings or later in the day as “real time” travel practice may be required.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience working with children, young people, or adults with SEND across a range of needs. No prior Independent Travel Training experience is required as full training will be provided.
• A strong track record of delivering support or skills based learning to individuals or small groups.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build trust quickly.
• A calm, approachable manner with the ability to manage unexpected or challenging situations.
• Strong organisation, time management, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Empathy, patience, resilience, and a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Understanding of safeguarding and safe-working practices.

Make a real difference every day - You’ll be helping young people gain vital life skills that support their independence, confidence and wellbeing.

Shape a brand new service - With this being a new role, your ideas and expertise will directly influence how we deliver Independent Travel Training in Hampshire.

Supportive team environment - You’ll be part of an inclusive, collaborative team that values learning, shared practice and professional growth.

Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme - to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.

A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.