School Minibus Driver (East Dorset / BCP)

1. About DCT

• Dorset Community Transport (DCT) has been providing safe, accessible and affordable community transport for communities across Dorset since 2011. Our instantly recognisable green minibuses can be spotted throughout Dorset!
• DCT provides home-to-school journeys for children across the Dorset and BCP Council areas.
• DCT is also dedicated to supporting and enabling independent living, reducing isolation and encouraging social interaction, especially for vulnerable people (such as older or disabled people or those with mobility difficulties who struggle to leave their homes). We also provide group transport to local voluntary, community and social groups.
• DCT is part of ECT Charity, a nationally-recognised social enterprise that creates social value through its charitable activities.
  
• DCT is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome all applicants and are happy to make reasonable adjustments during the selection process (and if a position is offered, in employment) if required.
  
• DCT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and any vulnerable person using our services. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow safer recruitment practices which are outlined in further detail in our Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Protecting People Policy.

2. Summary of Role

• Our Minibus Drivers (Drivers) provide home-to-school transport for pupils attending mainstream and Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools. In addition, Drivers may also take community groups out on activities and/or provide a door-to-door transport service for vulnerable individuals.
  

• Our Drivers act with the utmost level of professionalism, care and compassion to ensure that passengers have a safe and enjoyable journey.
• Drivers also undertake routine administration tasks (e.g. recording mileage, cancellations, etc.) and are provided with full training on the technical skills required (e.g. safely transporting wheelchair users). Further detail on Drivers’ key tasks are provided below.

3. Key Tasks

• Collect passengers from home address or other specified pick up point and transport them safely to their destination (e.g. shopping centre, places of interest, mainstream or SEND schools).
• Provide a door-to-door service and assist passengers to and from the minibus (e.g. help with shopping or mobility aid).
• Ensure the passenger is safely at their destination (depending on passenger, this may include checking others are present, and/or confirming return arrangements).
  
• Prior to driving, ensure all passengers are safe and secure in the vehicle and that safety requirements are complied with (e.g. seatbelts or wheelchair restraints). Where appropriate, this will involve working with a Passenger Assistant, whose focus is on the behaviour and safety of the passengers.
• Conduct vehicle defect checks and record appropriately.
• Complete required paperwork with regard to passenger lists, mileage records etc. including feedback.
• Account for any cash taken during a shift if relevant.
• Read emails, safety notices, updates, etc. provided to keep all staff up-to-date.
• Attend and contribute at team meetings.
• Undertake all other reasonable duties as delegated to them by the operations team.

4. Requirements for Role

4.1 All Drivers must:

• hold a full UK driving licence, including D1 or D1 101 category (please note that we cannot accept drivers with more than 6 penalty points or with previous drink driving convictions);
• be over 21 years old;
• have use of private transport to get to work;
• have extensive driving experience (as part of a previous role or otherwise) and the ability to plan routes;
• be committed to high levels of customer care and be caring and sympathetic (particularly to the needs of older and disabled people);
• be able to get on with people from all backgrounds (e.g. people from all ethnic and religious groups, people of both sexes, people with disabilities) politely and sensitively;
• be reliable, conscientious and punctual;
• be physically capable of undertaking manual handling activities (e.g. assisting disabled people to walk to/from vehicle, carrying shopping, assisting wheelchair users);
• have their own mobile phone and ability to access to email on a daily basis;
• be able to read, understand and follow written instructions;
• have excellent verbal communication skills;
• be able to accurately record basic information (e.g. mileage records and fares collected); and
• be smart and presentable.

4.2 Whilst it is not required, it is desirable if Drivers have:

• familiarity with local area; and/or
• flexibility with regard to shift patterns.

4.3 We welcome applicants with no previous experience in similar roles as full training will be provided.

5. Details of Role and Employment Particulars

This paragraph 5 provides a brief guide on the terms of employment. If we decide to proceed with your application, you will be issued with full particulars of employment.

5.1 Hours

• Drivers either:
  • as a minimum, cover regular home-to-school routes (“Permanent Drivers”); or
    
  • form part of a pool of casual drivers (“Relief Drivers”).
• Permanent Drivers work split-shifts (approx. 7am – 9.30am and 2.15 – 4.45pm) and during term-time only (approx. 190 days a year). Some flexibility will be required as the driver may be expected to start earlier or finish later for operational or traffic reasons. Between these times, Permanent Drivers may also be asked to cover additional transport for the local community. In addition, Permanent Drivers will be required to attend scheduled driver meetings and attend designated workshops for planned/ad-hoc vehicle maintenance appointments. Drivers are paid for all hours worked. There is a limited opportunity for additional work during school holidays (subject to availability/suitability).
  
  • Minimum guaranteed 16 hours/week with potential opportunities for paid overtime.
    
• Relief Drivers work on an ‘as and when required’ basis and provide a valuable service to the organisation. Engagement is as a casual worker and their services are used on an ad hoc and casual basis. This means that there are no guaranteed shifts, but there is the opportunity to cover sickness, holiday and any extra routes DCT may start. There is no obligation on the driver to accept any shifts offered – it is a flexible arrangement on both sides.

• Start and finish times subject to change due to operational or traffic reasons.

5.2 Location

• Drivers will cover regional routes operated by DCT in Dorset. Whilst some of the work starts and finishes from the main depot in Blandford Forum, most drivers are out-stationed across the county (e.g. based in Bridport, Weymouth, Dorchester, Sherborne, Poole, Bournemouth or elsewhere).
• Out-Stationed drivers will keep their bus local to them in the above mentioned locations, and park in prearranged locations overnight and at weekends; not the Blandford Depot.

5.3 Pay

• Drivers will be paid £13.09 per hour or prevailing (statutory or other) rates, plus holiday pay (as accrued).

5.4 Probation

• Appointment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

5.5 Sick pay

• In addition to statutory sick pay entitlement, Drivers may be eligible for DCT’s sick pay scheme (which is dependent on years of service).

5.6 Holidays

• Permanent Drivers and Relief Drivers are entitled to 5.6 weeks’ pro-rata paid holiday per year (including bank holidays) which is accrued. Due to the nature of home-to-school services, time-off for Permanent Drivers during term time (paid or unpaid) is limited and subject to restrictions*. (*Not applicable for Relief Drivers)
  
  

5.7 Training

• Drivers undertake the Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) which includes Accessible Training (covering procedures such as safe carriage of wheelchair users and disability awareness).
• All drivers will also receive full induction training, including Safeguarding and Health & Safety, to enable them to fully comply with relevant legislation and ECT’s policies and procedures.
• Further training opportunities will be offered where they will enhance our work.
  

5.8 Uniform

• Drivers must wear DCT’s distinctive but informal uniform of green polo shirt and additional green jumper/fleece/waterproof jacket as well as ID at all times.
• High visibility vests and other Personal Protective Equipment will be issued as appropriate and must be worn.
• Drivers are expected to look smart and presentable at all times.

5.9 Criminal Record Disclosure

• ECT is committed to a culture that promotes safeguarding and the welfare of all children and adults at risk of abuse. Our safer recruitment practices support this to ensure that all persons appointed to driving roles are suitable to work with children and adults at risk of abuse.
• This post is exempted from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 thus applicants are required to disclose all and any past or pending cautions or convictions (whether spent or otherwise) unless it is either a “protected caution” or a “protected conviction” under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. There will be an opportunity to provide this information on the application form.
• Please note that:
  • all information provided about criminal cautions, convictions and offences will be kept in the strictest confidence and only used for the purpose of assessing your suitability for the post you have applied for; and
  • a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment. This is in accordance with Government guidelines, the DBS Code of Practice and ECT’s Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy.
• Successful applicants are required to undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (ECT will cover this cost).
• ECT follows government guidelines, the DBS Code of Practice and ECT’s Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy with respect to the above. Further advice and guidance on disclosing criminal records can be obtained from Nacro’s Criminal Record Support Service.
  

6. Guidance on Application Process

6.1. How do I apply?

• Please fill out the online Application Form by clicking the green "Apply for This Job" button (top right).
• If you are not able to complete the form online, please contact [email protected] or 01258 287980 to request a printable version.
  

6.2. When is the closing date?

• We will be considering applications on a rolling basis. The sooner you apply, the sooner your application will be considered.

6.3. What advice do you have for completing the Application Form?

• DCT has a strong ethos with values that resonate with our staff and communities. DCT is very special – so we need you to show us why you’re special! The Application Form is your chance to prove why you should be invited to an interview.
• We recognise that some people are better at filling forms than others – some excellent drivers may be less confident with paperwork. We will bear all this in mind, but you need to give us something to think about (e.g. examples of what you have done in previous roles, details about voluntary work you do in the community).
  

6.4 Will I be interviewed?

• After we receive your completed Application Form, we will contact you to confirm whether or not you have been selected for interview.

6.5 How do you handle my personal data

• DCT will process the personal data that you have supplied on the Application Form in accordance with the Privacy Notice for job applicants available by clicking here.
• It is important to note that DCT will only process your personal data where it has a lawful basis for such processing.