Passenger Assistant

Job Description

The Opportunity

Salary: £13.28 per hour with an additional annual leave element of £1.60 on top of the hourly pay.
Contract Type: Casual
Location: Your base location is Drayton Depot (near Chichester) however, the work will be carried out across multiple locations. You won’t be required to visit the base location every time.

As part of our team, you will enable vulnerable people to achieve the best possible personal outcomes. You will do this by providing a reliable and consistent, safe transport service.

We're looking for people with an outward looking, caring and professional approach. The ideal person will naturally go above and beyond; acknowledging that our passengers value a friendly face and someone who is thoughtful and considerate.

At WSCC, we promote flexible working, and a casual contract is a perfect fit for that! What is a casual contract? A casual contract allows us, as the employer, to offer work as and when it becomes available. It does not always guarantee hours, so you are given the option to accept or deny assignments as determined by us.

You make a real difference to children and families with a strong sense of public service. This will be a varied role where no two days are the same. You will work in a collaborative and supportive working environment. If this sounds like a role that fits with your experience and knowledge, then we want to hear more from you!

About you

As a Passenger Assistant, you will travel to and from schools and other venues, in minibuses, cars and taxis. You will ensure the safe transport of vulnerable adults and school children with special needs.

You will provide a safe, secure and happy environment for passengers, while in transit between destinations. You will also ensure that the passengers safely board and alight from the vehicles and that they are delivered to their venue in a safe way.

Your day-to-day tasks will include:

• Interpreting situations and events as they arise to solve straightforward problems concerning the wellbeing of the passenger or smooth running of the journey.

• Fastening seat belts.

• Attaching booster seats and ensure that passengers are properly seated.

• Working in conjunction with the driver and any other passenger assistants in the vehicle.

• Ensuring that all equipment, such as wheelchairs, are carefully stowed and secured when in transit.

• Working collaboratively and convey messages between the school and the pupil’s parents about their health and wellbeing.

For more information on the Key Skills as well as the Qualifications and/or experience required, please refer to the Job Description.

Rewards and Benefits

Our values and support for one another is intrinsic to everything we do and will be a key priority within the assessment for this post. We care hugely about wellbeing, allowing time for a good laugh, and developing our team to be the best they can be. Alongside this, we also offer the below benefits:

• Competitive pay.
• Training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring.
• A range of discounts (Including Samsung, Argos, Wickes, TUI, Deliveroo and Asos).
• Discounted membership at selected local sports and fitness centres.
• A range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives.

For a full list, please visit our Rewards and Benefits page.

About us

The Transport Provision Team is part of the Transport Co-ordination Department. The team plans and provides passenger transport solutions. These services are provided to eligible children and allows them to get to school which supports the bus network providing millions of bus journeys each year.

The Transport Provision Team provides specialist transport for people with special needs, using its own fleet of vehicles, many of which are fully accessible. The Transport Provision Team covers the whole of West Sussex and operates out of three bases in Chichester, Horsham and Worthing.

For more information on the service, please visit our dedicated webpage for all things schools transport recruitment here.

Check out some videos showcasing our roles and the impact they have on the community.

Further information

The reference number for this role is 124.

We do reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to submit your application at your earliest convenience.

For an informal conversation or for further information regarding the role, please visit our featured School transport jobs site. For issues or queries regarding your application please contact hrrecruitment@westsussex.gov.uk or call 03302 225800.

Struggling to apply? Book onto a Digital Support Session in a library near you to get help navigating our application form (subject to availability)

To apply, please follow the links below to complete an application form and upload your CV. In your application, please outline your motivations for applying and explain how you meet the key skills listed in full and the experience you can bring to the role. Please ensure that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV. Please ensure you have saved the job description linked to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

We will review applications on a rolling basis therefore; you will be contacted within 2 weeks of your application.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years of satisfactory references and health check.

Equity, inclusion, accessibility and diversity is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all cultures, ethnicities, identities, backgrounds and lived experiences, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application helppage.

About us

At West Sussex County Council (WSCC), we’re proud to serve a county full of opportunity, diversity, and natural beauty—from vibrant towns to rural communities and coastal areas. We provide vital public services that support the lives and wellbeing of over 850,000 residents, including education, social care, transport, fire and rescue, public health, environmental services, and many more. We believe our people are our greatest asset. That’s why we’re committed to creating a positive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and able to thrive. What we do changes lives, whether you’re on the frontline or behind the scenes, your work will have a meaningful impact to the residents of West Sussex. We promote flexible working, invest in learning and development, and foster a culture of respect, innovation, and collaboration. Joining WSCC means becoming part of a forward-thinking organization where your contributions help shape a better, fairer future for the communities we serve.