Home to School Passenger Assistant

Home to School Passenger Assistant
Location: Wigan Borough
Hours: Minimum 15 hours per week (split shift)

Are you calm, patient and passionate about supporting children and young people with additional needs? We are recruiting Home to School (HtS) Passenger Assistants to escort pupils with special educational needs, learning disabilities and physical disabilities to and from school across the Wigan Borough.

This is a rewarding role where you will make a genuine difference to the lives of vulnerable young people every day.

About the Role As a Home to School Passenger Assistant, you will work on a split-shift basis (typically 7:30–09:30 and 14:30–16:45) escorting children safely between their home and school. Transport is provided via council-commissioned taxis, and you will be picked up and dropped off at your residence.

You may work one-to-one or support several children with a range of complex needs, ensuring their safety, comfort and wellbeing throughout the journey. You will uphold the council’s Team Wigan behaviours and values under the ‘Progress with Unity’ plan.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist children and young people on and off vehicles safely.
  
  
• Ensure all passengers arrive safely at school and return home securely at the end of the day.
  
  
• Build positive relationships with pupils, families, carers and schools.
  
  
• Provide calm, supportive responses to challenging behaviour.
  
  
• Follow safeguarding procedures and promote a safe, secure travel environment.
  
  
• Report incidents accurately and in a timely manner.
  
  
• Work closely with drivers and the wider Local Kitchen, Transport & Road Safety (LTRS) team.
  
  
• Maintain GDPR compliance, ensuring personal data is handled and disposed of correctly.
  
  
• Participate in mandatory training, staff engagement sessions and ‘My Time’ reviews.
  
  
• Share effective intervention techniques with management to support best practice across the PA cohort.
  
  

Essential Requirements

• Current Enhanced DBS clearance for working with children and vulnerable adults.
  
  
• Fluent English communication skills so young children can understand clearly.
  
  
• Must live in Wigan Borough or be able to travel to a meeting point within the borough.
  
  
• Physically able to carry out bending, stretching and lifting tasks.
  
  
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality.
  
  
• Ability to work independently and in partnership with the contracted driver.
  
  
• Digital confidence for basic reporting and communication.
  
  
• Reliable, punctual and professionally presented.
  
  
• Flexible and positive attitude to short notice route changes.
  
  
• Experience working with SEND pupils is desirable.
  
  

Desirable Knowledge & Experience

• Epilepsy awareness.
  
  
• Experience supporting children with autism and using communication strategies.
  
  
• Previous experience within education, care or transport settings.
  
  

Personal Attributes

• Calm, patient and empathetic approach when supporting children with complex needs.
  
  
• Safety-conscious and committed to high standards of care.
  
  
• Team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  
  

How to Apply To apply or find out more, please email john.deane@servicecare.org.uk.

Referral Bonus If you refer someone who is successfully placed into this role, you will receive £250 as a thank-you.