Driver Support Assistant

SALARY/GRADE: Band 3 (£24,790 - £25,183)

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Transport

Drive a specially adapted college bus to transport students between home and college, between college sites, and to educational visits as required.

Assist students with learning difficulties, disabilities, or restricted mobility in accessing the college bus safely.

Classroom Support

Provide in-class support for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

Support tutors with classroom activities and administrative duties.

Prepare and organise both electronic and traditional learning materials in collaboration with tutors.

Assist students in using specialist equipment to support their learning where appropriate.

Help students organise and manage classroom tasks within the scope of their qualifications.

Supervise students in the classroom when a lecturer is absent, as directed.

Personal Care Support

Support students with personal care and hygiene needs.

Supervise students during break and lunch periods, ensuring dietary requirements are met.

Ensure students receive appropriate levels of attention and supervision throughout the day.

Supervision and Student Welfare

Provide early morning supervision for students arriving before class begins.

Accompany students to the canteen and across campuses as required.

Provide break and lunchtime supervision to ensure student safety.

Provide supervision within classrooms under tutor direction.

Administrative and Placement Support

Update and maintain student personal files as required.

Handle incoming and outgoing telephone enquiries related to students.

Keep lecturers informed of any relevant student information.

Support students on work placements, including:

o Accompanying them to and from placements.

o Liaising with placement supervisors and updating tutors on student progress.

o Visiting students on placement as required.

Liaison

Communicate with parents, carers, and guardians when directed to do so by the tutor or college staff.

General

To contribute to the achievement of the College’s mission, values and strategic directions.

Participate in the Colleges performance appraisal system.

Participate in College developments, attend internal and external meetings and training programmes required.

Adhere to general standards of conduct embodied in College policies.

To implement and embed the College’s equality and diversity policies and respond to its equality and diversity duties as they relate to all stakeholders.

Act, if directed as fire marshal or warden.

Carry out, if directed, the role of first aider.

To undertake such other relevant duties as may be reasonably expected of the post holder.

Further Education is an ever-changing service, and all staff are expected to participate constructively in College activities and to adopt a flexible approach to their work.

Note: No job description can cover every issue that may arise within this post at various times and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties which are broadly consistent with those contained in this document. The job description will be reviewed and varied periodically by Management in the light of the business needs of the College.

Personnel Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

English GCSE at Grade C or above, or Essential Skills Level 2 (or higher) in Communication, or equivalent.

Maths GCSE at Grade C or above, or Essential Skills Level 2 (or higher) in Numeracy, or equivalent.

Hold a valid standard driving licence (e.g., category B).

EITHER hold, or be in the process of completing, the CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence), OR demonstrate a commitment to undertaking and successfully completing this qualification within 4 weeks of commencing the post.

Experience of working with young people, which may include those with severe and moderate learning difficulties.

Skilled in using a computer to produce worksheets, photographs, and other learning materials.

Desirable Criteria

Hold a current driving licence with category D1 stated.

Knowledge / Skills

A broad knowledge and understanding of adult status and inclusion.

Ability to demonstrate sensitivity towards the feelings of others, particularly in personal care situations.

A proven track record of working effectively as part of a team.

Competencies

The competencies required for effective performance in post are:

Specialist Knowledge

Planning, Prioritising and Organising

Relationship Management and Building

Adaptability and flexibility

Team Working and Collaboration

Communication & Personal Impact