Relief Driver/Maintenance

Job Description: Maintenance / Relief Driver

About Us

We are a provider of school transport services for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

Our mission is to deliver compassionate, respectful and personalised transport services for children travelling to and from school. We are committed to building trusting relationships with children, parents, carers, schools and our team through highly trained, dedicated and caring staff.

Job Summary

We are seeking a reliable, responsible and flexible Maintenance / Relief Driver to join our team in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

This is a varied role combining relief school transport driving with vehicle maintenance, safety checks and general fleet support. The successful candidate will help ensure our vehicles remain safe, clean, roadworthy and available for daily operations, while providing driving cover when required.

The role requires a caring and professional approach when working with children with SEN, alongside a strong commitment to road safety, vehicle safety and the smooth running of our transport service.

Place of Work

As required within the Bournemouth and Poole area, including travel to vehicle parking locations, maintenance facilities, schools and other operational locations as necessary.

Key Responsibilities

Relief Driving Duties

• Provide cover for regular school transport drivers during periods of annual leave, sickness or other absences.
• Safely transport children with SEN to and from school and their homes in accordance with allocated routes and schedules.
• Ensure children are treated with patience, dignity, kindness and respect at all times.
• Follow individual passenger requirements and established safeguarding and transport procedures.
• Communicate effectively with the office, Passenger Assistants (PAs), parents, carers and schools, as appropriate.
• Adhere to all road traffic laws, company policies and relevant health and safety requirements.
• Maintain accurate journey records, vehicle logs and any other required documentation.

Vehicle Maintenance and Fleet Support

• Carry out routine vehicle safety checks, including checking tyres, lights, fluid levels and other essential safety features.
• Identify, report and record vehicle defects promptly, ensuring unsafe vehicles are not used.
• Keep company vehicles clean, tidy and presentable, including the interior and exterior.
• Take vehicles to and collect them from garages, service centres, inspection facilities and other designated locations.
• Assist with vehicle changeovers, refuelling or charging, and preparing vehicles for daily school transport operations.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, defects, servicing and maintenance activities.
• Ensure any vehicle safety equipment and accessibility features are checked and reported as required.

General Operational Duties

• Assist the office team with day-to-day transport and fleet requirements.
• Support the preparation and allocation of vehicles for school transport routes.
• Report accidents, incidents, breakdowns, damage or safety concerns immediately in accordance with company procedures.
• Undertake other reasonable duties relating to driving, vehicle maintenance and transport operations as required.

Safeguarding and Professional Standards

• Promote the safety, welfare and dignity of all children using our transport service.
• Follow the company's safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and incident-reporting procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and treat children, parents, carers, colleagues and school staff respectfully.
• Hold the appropriate driving licence and meet all company and legal requirements for the vehicles being driven.
• Maintain a valid and satisfactory DBS check, in accordance with the requirements of the role.

Hours of Work

The role will primarily support school transport operations during term time. Normal school transport operating hours are generally between 7:15 am and 9:45 am and 2:30 pm and 5:00 pm. With the maintenance role you would need to be available between the school run hours to complete daily checks on vehicles and taking vehicles go local garages when booked in for MOT/MI Inspections.

As this is a combined maintenance and relief driving role, working hours may vary depending on transport cover requirements, vehicle servicing schedules, maintenance duties and operational needs. Some duties may need to be undertaken outside normal school transport operating hours.

The working pattern and any additional hours will be agreed in accordance with the company's operational requirements and applicable employment terms.

Salary

The salary will be agreed according to the role, experience and agreed working hours. Where applicable, the annual salary will be paid over 12 calendar months.

Employment Details

• Job Title: Maintenance / Relief Driver
• Job Type: Part-time, Permanent
• Location: Bournemouth and Poole area
• Working Pattern: Primarily term time, with hours varying according to operational requirements
• DBS Requirement: Appointment is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, including a children's barred list check where legally applicable to the role.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will:

• Be reliable, punctual, flexible and well organised.
• Have a safe driving record and the appropriate driving licence for the vehicles operated.
• Be confident carrying out routine vehicle safety checks and identifying defects.
• Have a practical approach to vehicle upkeep and maintenance coordination.
• Be willing to provide driving cover at short notice when reasonably required.
• Demonstrate patience, compassion and an understanding of the needs of children with SEN.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues, families, schools and maintenance providers.
• Work independently while following company procedures and safeguarding requirements.

Previous experience in school transport, SEN transport, fleet support or vehicle maintenance would be advantageous but not necessary.

Work Location

In person, within the Bournemouth and Poole area.

Pay: £12.71 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 25.0 per week

Work Location: In person