Minibus Driver

1. About ECT

• ECT (Ealing Community Transport) has been providing safe, accessible and affordable community transport for communities since 1979. Our instantly recognisable green minibuses can be spotted throughout Ealing!
• ECT is also dedicated to supporting and enabling independent living, reducing isolation and encouraging social interaction, especially for vulnerable people (such as older or disabled people or those with mobility difficulties who struggle to leave their homes). We also provide group transport to local voluntary, community and social groups.
• ECT is part of ECT Charity, a nationally-recognised social enterprise that creates social value through its charitable activities. ECT is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome all applicants and are happy to make reasonable adjustments during the selection process (and if a position is offered, in employment) if required.
• ECT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and any vulnerable person using our services. In order to meet this responsibility, we follow safer recruitment practices which are outlined in further detail in our Safeguarding Adults at Risk and Protecting People Policy.

• Our Minibus Drivers (Drivers) provide a range of community transport services ranging from door‑to‑door transport for vulnerable individuals, outings for care home residents, day trips for community groups and home‑to‑school transport for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
• Our Drivers act with the utmost level of professionalism, care and compassion to ensure that passengers have a safe and enjoyable journey.
• Drivers also undertake routine administration tasks (e.g. recording mileage, cancellations, etc.) and are provided with full training on the technical skills required (e.g. safely transporting wheelchair users). Further detail on Drivers’ key tasks are provided below.

• Collect passengers from home address or other specified pick up point and transport them safely to their destination (e.g. shopping centre, social club, places of interest, SEND schools).
• Provide a door‑to‑door service and assist passengers to and from the minibus (e.g. help with shopping or mobility aid).
• Ensure the passenger is safely at their destination (depending on passenger, this may include checking others are present, and/or confirming return arrangements).
• Prior to driving, ensure all passengers are safe and secure in the vehicle and that safety requirements are complied with (e.g. seatbelts or wheelchair restraints). Where appropriate, this will involve working with a Passenger Assistant, whose focus is on the behaviour and safety of the passengers.
• Conduct vehicle defect checks and record appropriately.
• Complete required paperwork with regard to passenger lists, mileage records etc. including feedback.
• Account for any cash taken during a shift if relevant.
• Read emails, safety notices, updates etc. provided to keep all staff up‑to‑date.
• Attend and contribute at team meetings.
• Undertake all other reasonable duties as delegated to them by the operations team.

• hold a full UK driving licence, including D1 or D1 101 category (please note that we cannot accept drivers with more than 6 penalty points or with previous drink driving convictions).
• be over 21 years old;
• have extensive driving experience (as part of a previous role or otherwise) and the ability to plan routes;
• be committed to high levels of customer care and be caring and sympathetic (particularly to the needs of older and disabled people);
• be able to get on with people from all backgrounds (e.g. people from all ethnic and religious groups, people of both sexes, people with disabilities) politely and sensitively;
• be reliable, conscientious and punctual;
• be physically capable of undertaking manual handling activities (e.g. assisting disabled people to walk to/from vehicle, carrying shopping, assisting wheelchair users);
• have their own mobile phone and ability to access email on a daily basis;
• be able to read, understand and follow written instructions;
• have excellent verbal communication skills;
• be able to…