Passenger Assistant - Casual

Passenger Assistant - Casual

Southampton Full-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children on their school journeys, ensuring safety and communication.
  • Company: Join a community-focused organisation dedicated to helping children and families thrive.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holidays, and health support perks.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
  • Qualifications: Compassionate individuals with experience working with children are encouraged to apply.
  • Other info: Term time only role with potential for personal development and training.

Passenger Assistants- School Travel Service

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families in your community? Do you have patience, empathy, a keen sense of responsibility and experience of working with children & young people? If so, we invite you to apply for the role of Passenger Assistant to support travel to and from school. This position offers an opportunity to support children & young people on their daily journey, ensuring their safety, welfare needs, and right to access education are met.

About The Role

As a Passenger Assistant you will play an integral part in their morning and afternoon routines. Your primary responsibility will be to accompany and support one or more children as they travel between home and school. Maintaining good levels of communication with the children or young people, the School Travel Service office, school staff, drivers and parents / carers about the health and safety and issues relating to journeys undertaken.

This advert is for Casual Passenger Assistants. If successful, a contract offer will be made at 0 hours per week. Contact will be made if and when cover is needed by School Travel Service. Job offer only open for those living within Southampton City Council Boundary.

About You

  • Compassionate, patient, and genuinely enjoy working with children and have a understanding of special needs.
  • Dependable and punctual, understanding the importance of routine for the children & young people and ensure smooth running of the route.
  • Clear communicators, able to interact confidently with children, young people, parents/ carers, school staff & school travel team.
  • Observant and attentive to the individual needs of each child.
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances or schedules.
  • Committed to safeguarding and promoting the well‑being of children at all times.

Essential Requirements

  • Previous experience working with children, families, or in a care/support role (formal or informal experience considered).
  • Basic understanding of children’s needs and issues related to safety and well‑being.
  • Good level of physical fitness, as the role will involve mobilising self in/ out of transport & assisting others.
  • Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
  • Two professional or character references. Full details of employment history and reference contract details will need to be supplied.
  • First aid training is desirable but not essential (training can be provided).
  • Rights to work status and supporting documentation available at time of interview.

About The Children You Will Support

Our service serves children of all ages and backgrounds, including those with special educational needs or disabilities. Some children/ young people may require extra assistance with mobility, social interaction, or managing anxieties related to travelling. As a Passenger Assistant, you will be matched where possible with children/ young people whose needs align with your skills and experience, ensuring a supportive and positive partnership between you, the child, and their family.

What We Can Offer You

Salary: The salary band for this role is £25,583 – £26,139 Pro Rata per annum

  • Flexible and agile working arrangements with working a mixture of office and home, outside of your face to face visits with the individuals we support.
  • Excellent
  • Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
  • Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
  • Family-friendly policies – Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
  • Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
  • Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
  • Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
  • Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
  • Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
  • Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
  • Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer

Contact Details For Informal Discussion

For further information and details regarding the above role, please contact Sarah Potten – School Travel Team Leader.

Interview Information

Please note that interviews are scheduled for week commencing 20th April 2026.

Recruitment contact details

Tel: 023 8083 4033

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Passenger Assistant - Casual employer: Southampton City Council

At Southampton City Council, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact in our community. As a Passenger Assistant, you will enjoy a supportive work culture that values compassion and teamwork, alongside generous holiday allowances and flexible working options. With ample opportunities for training and development, as well as health and wellbeing support, we ensure that our employees thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
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Contact Detail:

Southampton City Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Passenger Assistant - Casual

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children and young people, especially those with special educational needs or disabilities. Understanding their unique challenges will help you demonstrate your empathy and suitability for the role during the interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare to discuss your previous experience working with children or in care/support roles. Think of specific examples where you showcased patience, responsibility, and effective communication, as these are key qualities they are looking for.

✨Tip Number 3

Show your commitment to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of children. Be ready to talk about how you would handle various situations that may arise during transport, highlighting your attentiveness and adaptability.

✨Tip Number 4

Research the organisation and its values, particularly around community support and child welfare. This knowledge will allow you to align your answers with their mission and demonstrate your genuine interest in making a difference.

We think you need these skills to ace Passenger Assistant - Casual

Empathy
Patience
Communication Skills
Observational Skills
Flexibility
Adaptability
Dependability
Understanding of Special Needs
Basic First Aid Knowledge
Physical Fitness
Experience with Children and Young People
Safeguarding Awareness
Teamwork
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Passenger Assistant. Read the job description carefully and think about how your skills and experiences align with the requirements.

Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience working with children and young people. Emphasise your patience, empathy, and any previous roles that demonstrate your ability to support others.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and families. Use specific examples from your past experiences to illustrate your suitability for the role and your commitment to safeguarding.

Prepare for the Interview: If selected for an interview, prepare by thinking about potential questions related to child safety, communication, and adaptability. Be ready to discuss how you would handle various scenarios that may arise in the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council

✨Show Your Passion for Working with Children

Make sure to express your genuine enthusiasm for supporting children and families. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your compassion and patience, as these qualities are essential for the role of a Passenger Assistant.

✨Demonstrate Clear Communication Skills

Prepare to discuss how you would effectively communicate with children, parents, and school staff. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate your ability to convey important information clearly and confidently.

✨Highlight Your Observational Skills

Be ready to talk about how you can be attentive to the individual needs of each child. Discuss any previous experiences where you had to adapt your approach based on a child's specific requirements or circumstances.

✨Emphasise Your Flexibility and Dependability

Since the role requires adaptability to changing schedules, share examples of how you've successfully managed unexpected changes in previous roles. Highlight your punctuality and commitment to maintaining routines for the children.

Passenger Assistant - Casual
Southampton City Council
Location: Southampton

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