Passenger Transport Driver

at  Coventry City Council

About the team we are recruiting to
We value diverse perspectives and experiences and are striving to create a workplace culture that is inclusive, is accepting of all and is free from discrimination and bias.
Special Needs Transport (SNT) Coventry is responsible for delivering transport services to approximately 700 passengers daily amounting to approximately 280,000 trips each year.

As a result our customers are able to access and take part in the following wide range of services and activities:

• Social care transport for adults with learning difficulties and older people to day care and/or learning opportunities
• Education and learning, home to school transport for children and young people with special educational needs and/or physical and/or sensory impairments
• Transport to school, contact or medical appointments for children who are looked after by the authority
• Health related services including the provision of clean linen to residential homes and people cared for in their own homes; and
• Employment related services

SNT employs approximately 180 people equating to 130 full time equivalent roles, operates a fleet of over 70 passenger carrying vehicles, and has a trading turnover of over £5 million per annum, the majority of which is used to commission transport from taxis and external transport providers.
The positions being recruited to are on a split shift basis and there will be a need for successful candidates to work in the morning and afternoon with a break in between.
What is the job role?

20 HOURS A WEEK, APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS A DAY (SPLIT SHIFTS OF 2 HOURS) WORKING TERM TIME WHICH IS 38 WEEKS A YEAR - SALARY WILL BE PRO RATA TO THE NUMBER OF WEEKS/HOURS WORKED PLUS SPLIT SHIFT ALLOWANCE OF 1.5%

The job involves providing a high level of service to the citizens of Coventry who require transportation to and from schools, day care centres for older people, colleges and centres for citizens with learning difficulties. This can involve handling large wheelchairs and loading them on and off the vehicle securing the wheelchair on the vehicle and dealing with any other situation that might arise on the vehicle.

Continuity is a vital part of the service we provide and we endeavour to keep the same driver and escort on the vehicle as much as is reasonable practicable. In summary the role involves the following tasks:

• Undertake all driving duties in allocated vehicles as instructed by a Supervisor.
• Pick up clients and transport them to their point of destination using the vehicle in a safe manner at all times.
• Take all reasonable steps to prevent clients from causing harm to themselves and/or others.
• Carry out daily vehicle checks before start of journey and report all defects to Workshops for action.
• Complete all paperwork as requested.
• Working with vulnerable people and challenging behaviours

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?

Professionalism and a good work ethic are an essential part of our service as this projects a good image to the citizens of Coventry out on our roads. We expect our drivers to:

• Respect all clients and treat them with sensitivity at all times.
• Be flexible in working contracted hours over a standard working day and over a 5-day working week on a rota basis as and when required to meet the needs of the service.

If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our accessibility page to see how we can assist you.
For full details on the application process please read the attached document labelled ‘Coventry City Council Application Process’
Interview date(s): 1st May 2024
About Coventry

• Undertake all driving duties in allocated vehicles as instructed by a Supervisor.
• Pick up clients and transport them to their point of destination using the vehicle in a safe manner at all times.
• Take all reasonable steps to prevent clients from causing harm to themselves and/or others.
• Carry out daily vehicle checks before start of journey and report all defects to Workshops for action.
• Complete all paperwork as requested.
• Working with vulnerable people and challenging behaviour