Minibus Drivers

Connect2Luton are excited to recruit Minibus drivers on behalf of Luton Borough Council.

Purpose of position:

Drive a variety of vehicles and assist passengers on prescribed routes being responsible for the safe transportation of passengers to day centres and educational establishments. Carry out routine maintenance and cleaning of vehicles.

Principal Responsibilities:

• To collect passengers from their homes, assisting them to the vehicle where appropriate, and take them to various establishments. To return them to their home later the same day. This may include the use of a tail lift where necessary and will include handling wheelchairs and other aids.
• Ensure the physical, mental and social wellbeing of passengers whilst on the vehicle and as part of the caring team to assist in social contact with passengers.
• As a member of a team, give complete personal care (physical, social, emotional) according to the individual needs of service users.
• Help create and maintain a safe, supportive, secure atmosphere for all passengers including ensuring that all passengers and wheelchairs are adequately restrained in the vehicle using appropriate clamps, webbing straps, and inertia or static belts as fitted.
• Undertake appropriate vehicle checks and routine daily maintenance including vehicle cleaning, refuelling and the removal/fitment of seats to ensure that the appropriate seating arrangement is in place. Report any vehicle defects found or suspected to the line manager, completing any necessary paperwork.
• Contact appropriate staff in cases that cause concern or when conditions require attention to the physical and emotional needs of the passengers. In emergencies to contact relatives, friends, GP or emergency services. Report actual or potential child protection issues as a matter of urgency in accordance with child protection reporting procedures.
• Undertake other journeys as required driving light or medium vehicles including the collection, loading and delivery of supplies and equipment.
• Ensure that passengers are transported in accordance with safety guidelines and that all safety equipment is maintained in a fit condition for use, e.g. seat belts, wheelchair restraints, tailifts.
• Report any incident or accident involving the vehicle or its occupants to the line manager as soon as possible and in any case within 24 hours.

Skills and Experiences:

• Some experience of driving vehicles larger than cars
• Able to exercise initiative in emergency situations such as vehicle breakdown
• Able to recognize some common forms of discrimination
• A good knowledge of daily vehicle checks and maintenance procedures
• Able to drive competently and safely as evidenced by full current driving licence (category D1 essential) and independent driving assessment
• Able to operate machinery and mechanical lifting aids

Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. Therefore, it is essential in making your application you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders 1974 (Exemptions) (Amendments) Order 1986. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are 'spent' under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority. The fact that a bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.

About Us

Luton Borough Council have partnered with Kent County Council to create Connect2Luton, a recruitment managed service for all contingent temporary agency, contract, and interim roles at the Council.

Our heritage and being local government owned which means we have a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the public sector, with many of our employees having previously worked for the Council or have supplied previously into the Council, for several years.

We are an equal opportunities employment agency and business that positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.

Connect2Luton, part of Luton Borough Council & Kent Commercial Services LLP, is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business and positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.