School Minibus Driver (Dorchester / Weymouth)

• 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 i s 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 .

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 religi