At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive a minibus, ensuring safe transport for individuals with learning disabilities and autism.
- Company: Surrey Choices supports people with disabilities to thrive in their communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, full training, and perks like a refer-a-friend scheme and employee assistance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience and skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a full UK driving licence and be 21+; previous passenger service experience is a plus.
- Other info: Flexible working hours from Monday to Friday; all training provided.
Location: Woking, Surrey (with regular travel across Surrey-based services)
Hours: Flexible bank working - Monday to Friday
Salary: £12.60 per hour
Do you want to make a difference to someone’s life? Do you think you could help people to reach their full potential? At Surrey Choices, we support people with learning disabilities and autism to be active members of their local communities through inspiring and challenging them to learn, enjoy and achieve their goals. Our mission is to deliver innovative, sustainable services that enable choice and positive outcomes for the people we support. These services are provided by skilled, engaged and inspired colleagues.
As the Community Transport Driver, you will provide transport services to the people we support primarily at the start and end of the day, ensuring they are safely picked up and dropped off at our various services across Surrey Choices, or directly into the community to attend activities.
The role would suit applicants with previous experience within passenger services or an interest in driving, who are looking for a rewarding role which will make a real difference to people’s lives by enabling them access to the local community.
- Provision of door-to-door transport services to the people we support into and home from services.
- Driving a company minibus, ensuring all service-users are transported safely and in line with all policies and procedures.
- Establishing positive and professional relationships with passengers, their carers/parents and key colleagues at the services and activities they attend.
- Ensuring passenger safety, including helping passengers on and off the vehicle when required.
- Performing regular vehicle checks in line with procedures and reporting any concerns or issues to the Senior Community Transport Driver or the Community Transport Manager.
- Operation of all vehicle equipment, including steps, seat belts, wheelchair clamps and tail lifts.
- Reporting any safeguarding concerns or issues to the Senior Community Transport Driver or Community Transport Manager.
- Ensuring the minibus is kept clean and tidy.
What we would like from you:
- Full UK driving licence (Maximum 6 penalty points at time of appointment) held for a minimum of two years for insurance purposes.
- 21+ for insurance purposes.
- Ability to support people using the services into and out of the vehicle.
- Willingness to be trained to drive a minibus.
- Willing to be fully trained in wheelchair safety and restraint when on vehicles.
- Ability to act effectively to diffuse any difficult situations on the vehicles and to write brief notes/reports on incidents.
- Ability to liaise over day-to-day concerns between home and services with tact and diplomacy.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills and ability to maintain written records including recording passenger complaints.
- Willingness to be flexible in terms of starting times, finishing times and locations (within an area).
What we can offer you:
- Full training given - career progression encouraged.
- £400 refer a friend scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Automatic entry into Perkbox benefit scheme.
- Subsidised access to a Blue Light Card.
For an informal conversation and to find out more about this rewarding role, please contact Denise Hardwick on 07542 153350.
Surrey Choices Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. Surrey Choices is a Real Living Wage Employer. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
Bank Driver - Community Transport employer: Surrey Choices
Contact Detail:
Surrey Choices Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Bank Driver - Community Transport
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the local area of Woking and surrounding Surrey regions. Knowing the routes and key locations can help you stand out during the interview, showing your commitment to providing excellent service.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience you have in passenger services or working with individuals with learning disabilities or autism. This will demonstrate your understanding of the role and your ability to connect with the people you'll be supporting.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss how you would handle challenging situations on the job. Think of examples from past experiences where you successfully diffused a difficult situation, as this is crucial for ensuring passenger safety and comfort.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your willingness to learn by expressing interest in the training opportunities offered, such as minibus driving and wheelchair safety. This demonstrates your commitment to professional development and enhancing your skills for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Bank Driver - Community Transport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Bank Driver position. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect relevant experience in passenger services or driving roles. Emphasise any previous work that involved supporting individuals, especially those with learning disabilities or autism.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for making a difference in people's lives. Mention specific examples of how you have supported others in the past and your commitment to safety and professionalism.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since clear verbal and written communication is essential for this role, provide examples in your application that demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with passengers, their families, and colleagues.
How to prepare for a job interview at Surrey Choices
✨Know the Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of a Community Transport Driver. Understand the importance of providing safe and reliable transport for individuals with learning disabilities and autism, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these needs.
✨Demonstrate Empathy
Show that you genuinely care about making a difference in people's lives. Be prepared to share examples of how you've supported others in the past, especially in challenging situations, as this role requires compassion and understanding.
✨Highlight Your Driving Experience
Since a full UK driving licence is essential, emphasise your driving experience, particularly with passenger services. Discuss any relevant training or certifications you have, and be ready to talk about your ability to handle a minibus safely.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This shows your interest in the role and the company. You might ask about the training process for new drivers or how the team supports each other in their roles.