Passenger Assistant (casual)

1.    About ECT

• Ealing Community Transport (ECT) has been providingsafe, accessible and affordable community transportfor communities since 1979. Our instantly recognisable green minibuses can be spotted throughout Ealing!
  
• ECT is also dedicated to supporting and enablingindependent living,reducing isolationand encouragingsocial interaction, especially forvulnerable 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.
• ECT is part of ECT Charity, a nationally-recognised social enterprise that createssocial valuethrough itscharitable activities.
  
• ECT 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.
• ECT 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 Passenger Assistants (PAs) work as a team with our drivers to provide a range of community transport services, in particular, door-to-door transport for vulnerable individuals and home-to-school transport for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Our PAs act with the utmost level ofprofessionalism,care andcompassion to ensure that passengers have asafe andenjoyable journey.
• PAs are provided with full training. Further detail on PAs’ key tasks are provided below.

3.    Key Tasks

• Assistpassengersto and fromthe minibus. 
• Ensure the passenger issafely at their destination in accordance with procedures on site (e.g. school protocols). 
• Ensure allpassengers aresafe and secure in the vehicle andthatsafety requirements are complied with (e.g. seatbelts or wheelchair restraints).  

• Ensure that passengers arefully supervised at all times(as appropriate) andareonly allowed to disembark the vehicle when it is safe for them to do so. 
• If the passenger isnot ready for collection, ensure that the driver waits five minutes beyond the scheduled collection time and check withOperations Team atoffice before moving off. Where appropriate, PA willliaise with school authoritiesonpupils who have not been picked up. 
• For the homeward journey, ifparent or carer is not available to receive the passenger (where appropriate), follow strict predefined procedures. 
• Liaise withcarers and families as necessary, maintaining a professional manner at all times. 
• Monitor timetables and keep the Operations Team informed if regular difficulties arise as well as recommending amendments where appropriate. 

• Deal withanyemergency relating to passenger’s healthandrespond to any passenger who may be difficult, confused, agitated or sick. 
• Report any accidents, incidents or emergencies to the Operations Teamwithout delay. 
• Reademails,safetynotices, updates, etc. provided to keep all staffup-to-date. 
• Completepaperwork as required. 
• Undertake allother reasonable duties as delegated to them by theOperationsTeam. 

4.    Requirements for Role

4.1  All PAsmust:

• beover 21;
• be committed to high levels ofcustomer care and becaring andsympathetic (particularly to the needs of vulnerable and/or disabled children and older people);
• be able toget 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;
• bereliable,conscientious andpunctual;
• bephysically capable of undertaking manual handling activities (e.g. assisting disabled people to walk to/from vehicle, carrying shopping, assisting wheelchair users);
• work closely with the driver as a team to provide passengers with a safe and quality service;
• have theirown mobile phone and ability to access to email on a daily basis;
• be able to read, understand and followwritten instructions;
• have excellentverbal communication skills; and
• besmart andpresentable.
  

4.2  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

• This role will form part of a pool ofcasualPAs (“ReliefPAs”). 
• ReliefPAs work on an ‘as and when required’ basis and provide a valuable service to the organisation. Engagement is as a casual worker andtheirservicesare used on an ad hoc and casual basis. This means that there are no guaranteed shifts, but thereisthe opportunity to cover sickness and holidays.This may include split-shifts, evenings and weekends as and when required by mutual agreement with us. There is no obligation on thePA 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

• PAs shall operate out of ECT’s Greenford Depot which is located at Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9AN.
  

5.3  Pay

• PAs are paid £11.44 per hour or prevailing (statutory or other) rates, plus holiday pay. Payment will be in monthly in arrears on the production of timesheets.
  
  

5.4  Probation

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

5.5  Sick pay

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

5.6  Holidays

• PAsare entitled to 5.6 weeks’ pro-rata paid holiday per year (including bank holidays) which is accrued and paid in April, August and December.
  
  

5.7  Training

• PAs are required to successfully complete the Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS) which includes passenger awareness and assistance and supervising children and young people with special needs or disabilities.
• All PAs 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

• PAs must wear ECT’s distinctive but informal uniform of polo shirt and green fleece as well as ID at all times.
• High visibility vests and other Personal Protective Equipment will be issued as appropriate and must be worn.
• PAs 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 contactealing@ectcharity.co.uk or 020 8813 3210 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  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.

6.4 How do you handle my personal data

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