At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children on their school journeys, ensuring safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council and make a difference in your community.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible hours, generous holiday, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Casual role with opportunities for training and development.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of children's lives and help them access education.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a caring attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 14.92 - 14.92 £ per hour.
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.
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 or young person/s, 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. Those applying from SO14-SO19 will be collected as part of their route. Anyone outside of Southampton City Council Boundary will need to transport self to agreed starting location for each the route. Unfortunately, there will be no reimbursement of fuel or parking costs associated with this.
Candidates will need to be available from approx. 7am-9.30am & 2pm-4.30pm; the duration of the journeys may vary depending on number of passengers, distance, traffic etc.
We are seeking individuals who are:
- Compassionate, patient, and genuinely enjoy working with children and have an understanding of special educational 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).
- Will need to undertake enhanced medical training for Epilepsy rescue meds & Oral suction.
- Rights to work status and supporting documentation available at time of interview.
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.
Salary: The salary band for this role is £28,792 - £31,022 per annum (pro rata). The starting salary is £28,792 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below:
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- 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
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- 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
For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)
For more information please read the job description in full, if further questions please email sarah.potten@southampton.gov.uk to schedule a time to discuss query.
Please note that interviews are scheduled for w/c 14th September 2026.
Recruitment contact details: Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council. Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news.
Passenger Assistant Casual (Medical) in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Join our vibrant partnership of six schools in Southampton and the New Forest, where we prioritise a rich learning experience for every child. As a Classroom Play Assistant, you will be part of a collaborative and supportive team dedicated to nurturing confident learners and responsible citizens. With a strong focus on employee development and a commitment to safeguarding, we offer a fulfilling work culture that values diversity and encourages personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Passenger Assistant Casual (Medical) in Southampton
✨Get Your Hands Dirty
In transportation and logistics, hands-on experience is golden. If you're looking for a temporary position, don't just sit back; consider volunteering at local logistics companies or joining community transport initiatives. It’s a great way to gain industry insight and showcase your commitment!
✨Tap into Seasonal Hiring
Temporary roles in logistics often peak during busy seasons, like holidays or sales events. Keep an eye out for those hiring windows and brush up on your local networks. Joining industry groups on social media or attending local job fairs can be your golden ticket to snagging a role!
✨Show You’re Flexibly Awesome
Temporary roles often require quick adaptability, so make sure you highlight your flexibility and problem-solving skills in every discussion. When chatting with recruiters or at interviews, be ready to give examples of how you’ve quickly adjusted in past roles—this will help you stand out among other candidates.
✨Hit Us Up Directly!
Don't forget to apply through our website directly to see the freshest temporary opportunities available at Southampton City Council! It’s always a good idea to follow up after submitting your application, just to show you’re keen on joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Passenger Assistant Casual (Medical) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in transportation and logistics, it’s crucial to emphasise any previous experience in this field. Whether you've worked as a warehouse operative or in a delivery role, make sure you showcase those skills and experiences that will help you hit the ground running right away!
Focus on Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, your availability and flexibility are key. In your cover letter, be clear about when you can start and any scheduling flexibility you might have. Employers love candidates who can jump in without a hitch, so show off that readiness!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any certificates related to logistics, like forklift licenses or health and safety training, don’t leave them out! These certifications can give you an edge, showing that you’re not just capable but also qualified for the job. Mention these in your CV to catch the hiring manager’s eye!
Tailor Your CV to Logistics Jargon:When crafting your CV, use industry-specific terms and jargon that reflect your understanding of transportation and logistics. Whether it’s ‘supply chain management’ or ‘route optimisation’, sprinkle these phrases throughout your CV and cover letter. This shows that you’re not just applying at random, but that you know the industry well!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
In the transportation and logistics field, demonstrating your knack for problem-solving can really set you apart. Be ready to talk about specific challenges you’ve faced in past roles or during your studies, especially those involving route planning or supply chain issues, and how you tackled them.
✨Get Familiar with Key Tools
This role will likely involve using industry-specific tools like SAP or Microsoft Excel for logistics management. Brush up on these tools before your interview and be ready to discuss how you've used them in the past – or how you'd approach using them if you're not familiar yet!
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this position is temporary, companies are keen on finding someone who can hit the ground running. Share examples from previous roles or projects where you quickly adapted to new processes or worked under tight deadlines to show that you can thrive in a dynamic environment.
✨Understand Key Regulations
In the transportation and logistics sector, regulations play a huge role. Familiarising yourself with relevant laws and compliance standards can give you an edge. If you can drop in some specifics about how these impact logistics operations, it’ll show you're serious about the industry and that you can handle the responsibilities of the role with confidence.
