Bromsgrove and Redditch NetworkCommunity House

103 Easemore RoadRedditch, B98 8EY

E-mail: office@barn.org.uk Telephone: 01527 60282

Application pack:Senior Driver – Community Minibus

21 hours per week, but more hours may be available on an occasional basis

Thank you for your interest in the post of Senior Driver for Bromsgrove Urban and Rural Transport, known as BURT. BURT is run by the charity Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (known as BARN).

About Bromsgrove and Redditch NetworkBARN is a network supporting volunteers and community organisations across Bromsgrove and Redditch.

We’re the voice of the voluntary sector, support local communities, and help with networking, information, funding and volunteering. We’re the local Council for Voluntary Service and run the Volunteer Centre for Bromsgrove and Redditch. We also host Bromsgrove and Redditch Open Spaces and we run the BURT community minibus across Bromsgrove District.

BARN was formed in 1997 to help provide support and services to community and voluntary sector organisations.

About this roleThe BURT community minibus has been running since 2009. BURT is the community minibus service for Bromsgrove District, and helps vulnerable residents across the District who can’t make essential journeys by conventional transport, either because of personal mobility/disability difficulties or because there isn’t a suitable service available.

Since May 2017 the service has been run by us here at Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (BARN).

BARN runs the service with a mix of paid staff and volunteers in a variety of different roles. This post is for a salaried part-time Senior Driver, and the main purpose of this is to drive the minibus for pre-booked passengers across Bromsgrove District for a range of activities such as getting to the shops, visiting family and friends, leisure activities or regular clubs, or medical appointments. In between bookings there is often time to make phonecalls and other administrative tasks to support the minibus and the work of the charity.

The service is more than just transport though. You’ll be working with people who often need additional support, and you will need to tailor that support for different clients. We work with some people with dementia, so you may need to help them get in and out of their house, or even remind them where they’re going. Others might have mobility issues which may require using the tail lift, or securely fixing wheelchairs ready for travel. At all times our passengers are treated with dignity and respect. You can find out more at burtrides.org.uk.

You will also be working alongside volunteers who drive on other days, so part of the role will be to support and train them. As Senior Driver you will also have some responsibility for dealing with fares, reporting to the office, conducting extra checks on the vehicle, some phonecalls and basic paperwork, and other duties linked to the role.

www.barn.org.ukBARN is a Company Limited by Guarantee Company Registration Number 5814032 (England & Wales

Registered Charity 1122980 Registered Office address as above

Application processThe closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 9th August 2021 and we will interview the week commencing 16th August 2021. This will include a face-to-face interview with a small panel and some basic tasks (remote interviews may be considered in exceptional circumstances).  Applications must be made via email to gary@barn.org.uk. 

The Starting Date would ideally be at the beginning of September, although a later start would be considered for the ideal candidate.

Criminal Records Check, Safeguarding registration & legal right to workAs the role will include unsupervised work with vulnerable adults or young people a DBS check will be required that BARN will organise and pay for. Employment will depend on these checks being acceptable. Failure to disclose information that appears on this check may result in withdrawal of the offer of employment.

We are also now required to see a passport or other documentation to prove you have a legal right to work in this country.

Main terms and conditions

Salary: The salary will be £17570 pro rata per annum. Based on 21 hours per week (out of 37) at £9.13 per hour this would equate to £9972 per year. This will be paid monthly.

Location: Although the charity’s office is based in Reddtich, the role will be based at our minibus base in Bromsgrove town.

Termination: The appointment will be subject to two weeks’ notice during the initial three month probationary period, and then four weeks’ notice to be given by, or served to, the Chief Executive.

Leave: The annual leave entitlement is 20 days plus public holidays pro rata. All holiday must be agreed in advance with the Chief Executive.

Expenses: Authorised travel, subsistence when working away from base and other expenses will be reimbursed according to scales and guidelines set by the board.

Hours 42 hours per fortnight. This will be over Wednesday, Thursday and alternating Fridays. For authorised work over these hours the company operates a Time Off In Lieu scheme. Additional paid hours may on occasion also be available.

Appointment will be conditional on the chosen applicant passing a Driver Assessment test and a wheelchair/minibus training course as well as a DBS check. These will be arranged and paid for by BARN.

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Job description

Job Title: Senior Driver – Community Minibus

Reporting to Bromsgrove and Redditch Network (BARN) Chief Executive

Main Purposes To drive our community minibus and help the passengers when needed To support the volunteers that help with the service To check the minibus is clean and safe To complete administrative tasks and promotional activities to support the service

Duties and Responsibilities To carry passengers on community-based routes according to the daily schedule To ensure that all passengers are transported safely and with due care and dignity. To greet passengers as they enter the vehicle, and be polite and courteous. To offer some physical assistance to our travellers if they need it. To operate the wheelchair lift when required, and secure wheelchair users safely. To deal with any enquiries in a positive and helpful manner. To support and mentor the volunteer drivers. To undertake and record specified daily checks and minor maintenance of vehicles, such as

filling up fuel, oils and water, and tyre pressure checks. To conduct additional weekly vehicle checks. To deliver and collect vehicles from places of repair/servicing when required. To maintain the cleanliness of the vehicle both inside and out. To take responsibility for Health and Safety of yourself and passengers. To collect fares or other monies as directed (drivers are not allowed to accept tips on the

service), and take responsibility for banking and reconciliation of fares. To assist in making phonecalls, sending emails, and other computer and paper based tasks as

required. To assist with the promotion of the service.

The successful candidate will be required to undertake driver assessment and other training.

Notes: This post is subject to a criminal record check under the arrangements established by the DBS. The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promotes

equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all employees and service users and is consistent with our Equal Opportunities Policy.

Key Tasks To ensure the service is efficient and effective. To exercise proper integrity in respect of confidential matters and personal information obtained

during the execution of the duties of this post. Work within the policies and procedures of BARN. Undertake other duties as requested which are appropriate with the general character and level

of responsibility of the post. To understand and comply with the legal requirements of The Health And Safety at Work Act

(1974), and any other relevant regulations. To carry out duties and responsibilities required under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the

General Data Protection Regulation in particular, to take all reasonable care that no unauthorised loss or disclosure of personal data occurs.

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Person Specification This list will be used to assess all candidates, to decide who will be short listed and after interview, who will be offered the job. It is important that you take this into account when you are writing your application form.

QUALIFICATIONS

Good standard of general education.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

ESSENTIAL An appropriate current driving licence including D1. (This may be as a result of an appropriate

training course, or passing your driving test prior to January 1997). The ability to pass a driving assessment for a minibus. Excellent communication skills, both with members of the public and other members of your

team. Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with a wide variety of people, showing a high

level of sensitivity, patience and tact. Ability to work as part of a team. Ability to prioritise tasks, without direct supervision. Understanding of anti-discriminatory practices. The ability to understand and maintain the confidentiality of their work. Reasonable manual dexterity and the ability to undertake moderate physical activity, sometimes

in a confined environment. (Post-holder may have to take seats in and out of the minibus, for example, and secure wheelchairs for travel)

Reasonable level of confidence with computers The ability to be flexible to the demands of the organisation.

DESIRABLE Good Bromsgrove area knowledge. Demonstrable experience of driving appropriate vehicles, eg minibuses, ambulances, PCV etc Experience of working with elderly and/or mobility impaired people Experience of working in a voluntary organisation. Experience of working with volunteers or as a volunteer. The ability to understand and carry out instructions accurately. Integrity and trustworthiness. A caring attitude, tolerance and an understanding manner. Availability for occasional evening and weekend work (this is rare and less important).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Willingness to access training. Will be required to undergo a DBS check. Will be required to pass a Driver Assessment Will be required to pass a Wheelchair/Accessibility course.

These requirements are subject to reasonable adjustments where applicants fall within the Disability Discrimination Act, and declare this in their application.

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Application formWe would prefer to receive this application by email, and typed rather than handwritten. If you are able to do this please only use the spaces provided using the existing format, as the boxes

will expand to compensate. Do not attach additional sheets. If you need to handwrite the application please only attach additional pages if more space is required

to answer the questions, and in the same format as the questions you are answering.

Other documents should not be included, as these will not be considered, unless specifically requested as part of a question. Please do not attach a CV.

Email applications should be returned to gary@barn.org.uk

The closing date is 5pm Monday 9th August 2021.

GENERAL INFORMATIONTitle (Mr, Ms, Mrs, Miss, Mx, etc):

First name(s):

Surname:

Address (including Post Code):

Tel: (day) Tel: (evening)

Email:

If appointed when could you start work?

How did you hear about this vacancy?

Is there any information that you wish to tell us about before we undertake a DBS check that may appear on the disclosure? YES/NO

If yes please detail on a separate letter

What is your birthdate?

We only need this information to ensure you have time remaining on your driving licence – D1 automatically expires when you are 70 unless you pass further medical checks.

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EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

Education This box will expand if you fill itDATEFROM/TO

Name of SCHOOL/COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY or EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENT

EXAMS TAKEN, BEING STUDIED FOR, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Do you have a full clean driving licence? YES/NOIf not clean, please specify why

Do you have D1 on your licence? (delete as appropriate) YES/NO

How did you get this? (delete as appropriate) Passed Driving Test before 1997 / Passed training course

Professional Development This box will expand if you fill itPlease list other training courses completed which are relevant to the post (as set out in the Person Specification):

DATE PROVIDER COURSE/EXPERIENCE

Current membership of professional organisations: DATE MEMBERSHIPS (including grade if relevant)

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EMPLOYMENTPlease give dates and details of your employment history starting with your current or most recent job. Where you have a break in employment, please give dates and details of what you did during that break. Please provide a full postal address (with postcode) for all employers.

References will be taken, but no approach will be made to your current employer without permission before a (conditional) offer of employment has been made and accepted by you.

Previous/Current EmploymentPlease give details of your present or most recent employment. This box will expand if you fill itEmployer:

Employer’s address:

Your job title: Hours employed per week:

Date appointed: Date left (if applicable):

Salary: Notice due (if applicable):

Reason for leaving or seeking other employment: This box will expand if you fill it

Please give details of your duties This box will expand if you fill it

Please list and describe your previous jobs. This box will expand if you fill it

DATESFROM/TO

EMPLOYER INCLUDINGADDRESS POST TITLE AND DUTIES REASON FOR LEAVING

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KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENTS This box will expand if you fill itPlease read the Job Description and Person Specification and tell us how you believe you meet the requirements of the role. (NB this information will be used for shortlisting.) Please give examples to demonstrate the statements you make.

Other Interests This box will expand if you fill itWhat are your hobbies and interests, and what activities do you participate in?

Why do you think you are the best person for this post? This box will expand if you fill it

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REFEREESThis should ideally include a recent employer, and should not include relatives.1. Name: 2. Name:

Position: Position:

Address: Address:

Tel: Tel:

How does this referee know you? How does this referee know you?

May we contact this referee now? YES/NO May we contact this referee now? YES/NO

IMMIGRATION, ASYLUM AND NATIONALITY ACT 2006 Please note that all applicants will be required to evidence their eligibility to work in the UK Do you have the right to work in the UK? YES/NO

Please advise of any restrictions to your right to work in the UK:

Declaration: By submitting this application I confirm that the information provided is accurate and has been completed by me. I accept that deliberately falsifying or omitting information will disqualify my application, or, if after appointment, could constitute grounds for dismissal. I undertake to inform Bromsgrove and Redditch Network of any changes to the information provided.

I understand that any offer of employment is conditional upon Bromsgrove and Redditch Network’s receipt of satisfactory references, DBS check and completion of required assessments.

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We are committed to providing people with disabilities an opportunity to compete fairly for jobs and to consider what adjustments might need to be made to enable them to carry out their job related activities. The company is committed to fair selection practice, and in order to help you, please answer the following questions. These answers will not be considered during the shortlisting process.

1. Do you consider yourself to have a disability? YES / NO* (delete as appropriate)

2. In applying for the post, would the company need to make any adjustments in order to enable you to attend for interview? YES / NO* (delete as appropriate)

If yes, please give details: 

3. If offered employment with the company, would the company need to make any adjustments to enable you to undertake your role? YES / NO*

If yes, please give details:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & RECRUITMENT MONITORINGBARN strives to be an equal opportunities employer. This means that all applicants for jobs will receive equal treatment irrespective of their gender, disability and race. To ensure the effectiveness of the policy and to assist in its development BARN monitors all applicants for employment.

We would be grateful if you could complete the section below, which will be treated as confidential and will play no part in the shortlisting or appointment.

Post applied for:

1. I identify my gender as: Male Female Trans Other______ Prefer not to say

2. What is your age group? 16 – 25 26-35 36-45 46-55 over 55 (please circle)

3. Ethnic originI would describe my ethnic origin as (please circle)

White Mixed Asian orAsian British

Black orBlack British Other Ethnic

British White & Black Caribbean Pakistani Caribbean Chinese

Irish White & Black African Bangladeshi African

White & Asian Indian

Other White Other mixed Other Asian Other Black Other

Please tell us if you feel we have not included a group you feel should be.

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