Job title: Driver/Escort

Salary: B1 - £25,185 - £25,989 – Pro Rata

Hours: 30

Contract: Permanent (52 weeks and Term time only)

Location: Westland Road LS11 5SB

As a driver you will provide a safe and supportive transport experience to vulnerable clients, older people, children who are in care, children and young people with varying degrees of learning, emotional and physical difficulties.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

About you

As a Driver you will bring to the role:

Hold a D1 licence
Good communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.
Available to work on a split shift between core hours of 7-10am and 2-5pm, 30hrs weekly
Flexible to the changing needs of the service
Approachable and caring attitude offering a warm welcome to passengers, families, carers and staff
A good understanding of your responsibilities in regard of Health and safety
An enhanced DBS will be required
A good level of physical ability is needed

About the role

As our next driver, you will join a team that transports over 4,000 passengers to school/college or centres daily. We currently employ over 240 drivers, and our team is growing due to increased demand for our service. You will be integral in supporting passengers ensuring their safety, and wellbeing while on transport. You will enjoy working with people your approachability, warmth and enthusiasm will contribute positively to our passenger's day. You will need to support passengers on off transport so a good level of physical ability will be required.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Complete the online application form.

Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role contact Maria Murphy Administration Assistant or Karen Stroud, Resources scheduler Call - 0113 3760100 option 2 or email Maria.murphy@leeds.gov.ukor Karen.stroud@leeds.gov.uk.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job purpose

To be able to drive, hold a valid driving licence, transporting some of the most vulnerable people of Leeds from their own homes to various locations throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Responsibilities

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Transporting older people, people with physical disabilities, people with mental health problems and people with learning difficulties from home to centres and luncheon clubs as required, including assisting services users between home and the vehicle, and ensuring that the service user’s home is left safe and secure.
Operate a flexible transport service in relation to arrival and departure times in accordance with agreements between the Transport Manager and Day Centre Managers and to respond to changes in circumstances at short notice.
Participate with Day Centre staff in outings to various locations as required e.g. trips, shopping, theatre etc.
Undertake recreational based activities at Day Centre which provide stimulation and interest to the members e.g. participation in discussion groups and individual conversation, games and serving refreshments.
Deliver Community meals, ensuring the collection and recording of cash payments as required.
Delivery of stationery, goods and materials including loading and unloading as required.
Clean and washing of vehicles with appropriate machinery and equipment, routine daily and weekly maintenance and safety checks on vehicles and completion of appropriate logs and records as required.
To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required by the Fleet Deployment Manager.
To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
To actively promote and support Leeds City Council’s and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities.

Qualifications

Hold a valid driving licence to level D1.

Essential requirements Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the following essential requirements.

To be able to drive, whilst keeping to a route schedule, ensuring passenger safety at all times.
Ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally with service users, parents, carers and staff in a pleasant and courteous manner.
Sympathetic to and understand the needs of the service user.
Ability to use own initiative to resolve minor problems.
Writing skills sufficient to fill in log sheets, reports etc.
Flexibility regarding changing of hours or areas of work.
Ability to undertake moving and handling tasks i.e. manoeuvring of wheelchair users to and from the vehicle.

Essential behavioural and other characteristics

Understand and embrace Leeds City Council values and behaviours and codes of conduct
Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Leeds Ambitions of health and wellbeing, inclusive growth, thriving strong communities, and a resilient sustainable city
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills
Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters

Desirable requirements Candidates are not required to meet all the following desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates

Hold an appropriate MIDAS certificate
Experience of working with people in a caring capacity.
Experience of working with people with a disability.
Experience of driving a large vehicle in Leeds or other large cities.
Experience of working within a team.

Behavioural and Other Job Related Characteristics

Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups