Brighter Futures for Children Special Education Need (SEN) Travel Officer Full-time, 37 hours per week 12-month fixed term (maternity cover) About BFfC Brighter Futures for Children is a not-for-profit company, owned by, but independent of, Reading Borough Council. Although we are independent, we are very much part of the Reading Family. Our people enjoy all of benefits as other Council employees including membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and continuous service. We work closely with partners in the local community and key organisations including Reading Borough Council, policy, public health and voluntary groups. We are responsible for the delivery of children’s social care, early help & prevention, education services (including SEND). This also includes fostering and adoption, the Youth Justice Service and traded services with schools. Our main aim is to protect and enhance the lives of the children of Reading. We help families find long-term solutions to ensure children lead happy, healthy and successful lives. About the team In this role you will be actively involved in ensuring the data we hold on to our transport software system is accurate and well maintained, so that we can provide effective scheduling and accurate management information. Working within the School Transport Service, within the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Education teams, and reporting to the School Transport Manager, this role will review transport arrangements (to include the assessment for suitability, and provision of, independent travel training) and implement any changes required, including identifying service and efficiency improvements and implementing these on an ongoing basis to reduce transport costs in line with all relevant statutory duties and guidance. This will be achieved by providing safe and appropriate arrangements which meet the needs of individual children and people which offer best value for money - with a focus on personalisation and providing opportunities to develop young people’s travel independence and skills for the future. Role Responsibilities: To provide accurate information regarding individual children and young people’s needs in order to ensure that the most appropriate transport is provided and to liaise with schools & parents about this, as appropriate. This includes making decisions about the type of transport appropriate for the needs of the pupil. Support with managing statutory eligibility, transport provision and effective responses in emergency situations. To undertake risk assessments for all new young people requiring transport in order to make decisions about allocation of individual passenger transport assistants (escorts) for pupils with SEND and to review the arrangements as necessary. This includes the implementation of individual health care plans to ensure that pupils with complex medical needs as transported as safely as possible working alongside health colleagues as appropriate. Management of the Personal Transport Allowance process in-line with internal guidelines ensuring reconciliations are efficiently processed. Deal with complicated and sensitive transport issues which can become emotive, responding to all communications promptly and professionally. Work closely with other professionals as appropriate to provide high quality and consistent advice to parents/carers on complex access. Complete risk analyses, risk assessments, and Passenger Safety Plans to ensure the provision of transport is appropriate and safe, including the provision of safety equipment and guidance. Please refer to the job description and person specification for more information about the role. What we offer A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including: Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution Incremental holidays starting with 26 days plus public holidays (rising to 33 after 10 years’ service) Discounted Childcare (on site nursery) Cycle to work scheme. Season train ticket loans. Salary Sacrifice Car Lease Scheme A range of local shopping discounts Remote/Agile working Inclusion and Diversity We want Brighter Futures for Children to be a great place to work and to ensure that our children, young people and families are represented in leadership roles and positions of power. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our children, young people and families so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do. Asking for Adjustments Brighter Futures for Children is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please let us know. Closing date: 5 February 2025 Interview date: 12 February 2025 We look forward to hearing from you