Travel Support Officer (Independent Travel Training)

Lead the Development of Our New Independent Travel Training Service Sefton Council is launching an exciting new Independent Travel Training (ITT) Service and is seeking an experienced, motivated, and innovative Senior Travel Support Officer to play a leading role in its development and delivery.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new service that will empower children and young people, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), to develop the confidence, skills, and independence needed to travel safely within their communities.

As a key member of the Travel Support Team, you will be instrumental in embedding Independent Travel Training as a core element of Sefton's Home to School Travel Support offer, helping to improve outcomes for young people and supporting greater independence for families.

About the Role

The primary focus of this role is to lead on the assessment, development, delivery, and continuous improvement of Independent Travel Training across the borough.

You will provide professional leadership for this area of the service, supporting the Team Leader and Service Manager in developing new approaches, improving service delivery, and ensuring positive outcomes for young people.

• Leading assessments of eligibility, travel needs, and journey requirements.
• Developing and overseeing Travel Support Plans and risk assessments.
• Leading the delivery and ongoing development of the Independent Travel Training programme.
• Delivering practical one-to-one and group-based travel training sessions.
• Supporting young people to travel safely and independently using public transport, walking routes, and cycling.
• Monitoring, recording, and evaluating learner progress and programme outcomes.
• Delivering information and awareness sessions for parents, carers, schools, and professionals.
• Producing reports, briefings, presentations, and management information.
• Supporting the Team Leader and Head of Service in developing and implementing improvements to the Home to School Travel Support Policy.
• Providing guidance, support, and leadership to colleagues delivering travel support services.
• Working collaboratively with schools, families, social care colleagues, transport providers, and other key partners.
• The role requires regular travel across the borough and may occasionally involve working outside normal office hours to support early morning school and college journeys.

This is an opportunity to be at the forefront of a brand-new service that will have a lasting impact on the lives of young people across Sefton.

We offer

• The chance to lead and shape a new Independent Travel Training Service.
• A rewarding role that directly improves outcomes for young people and families.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment.
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
• Agile and flexible working arrangements.
• Public transport pass provided.
• Casual Car User Allowance where applicable.

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities.

A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody's identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential.

We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment.

Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual's skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about promoting independence and has the experience and leadership skills to help establish and grow a new service.

You will be able to demonstrate

• Experience of delivering travel training, sustainable transport initiatives, or related support services.
• Experience of assessing needs and developing support plans.
• Experience of working with children, young people, or individuals with additional needs.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to guide, support, and influence others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of collecting, maintaining, analysing, and reporting information and data.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• The ability to build effective partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and database systems.
• An understanding of the barriers some individuals face when accessing transport and community services.
• Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with experience in:
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
• Education, youth work, social care, or community services.
• Independent Travel Training.
• Home to school transport services.
• Service development, improvement, or project work.
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