Independent Travel Trainer Lead Officer

Job Reference: HCC623663

Salary Range: £40,643 - £45,077 per annum

Hours per week: 37 (part time hours may be considered)

Contract Type: Temporary until March 2028

Closing Date: 21 April 2026

The Role:

Early applications are encouraged as we may close the advert ahead of the stated closing date.

Join our newly formed Independent Travel Training team within the School Transport Service and play a leading role to help shape a service that empowers young people to become confident, independent travellers.

As an Independent Travel Trainer Lead Officer, you'll support our mission to help children and young people, particularly those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to build the skills and confidence they need to travel independently and take positive steps toward adulthood.

This brand new role offers you the chance to develop and coordinate a dedicated team, establish high-quality standards, and contribute to a service that makes a meaningful, lasting impact on young people and their families' lives.

What you'll do:

• Lead, support and motivate a new team of Independent Travel Trainers, ensuring consistent and high quality delivery across Hampshire.
• Oversee the planning, scheduling and allocation of travel training activities, aligning them with young people's individual needs and broader service priorities.
• Coordinate and promote the Independent Travel Training curriculum, ensuring it is implemented effectively and that personalised training plans are developed from thorough assessments.
• Collaborate with families, schools, transport providers and professionals to raise awareness of the programme and ensure effective joint working.
• Monitor and evaluate performance, keeping accurate records, reviewing data, gathering feedback, and driving continuous improvement.
• Support safe and effective community based delivery, ensuring risk assessments and safeguarding requirements are fully met.
• Work flexibly across office, community and remote settings, representing the service and contributing to the wider aims of the Council.

What we're looking for:

You will be someone who:

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for young people with SEND, with a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity and safeguarding.
• Brings strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, organise and support a team.
• Has experience working with children or young people with SEND and engaging confidently with families and professionals.
• Demonstrates excellent planning, coordination and organisational skills, including accurate record keeping and working with data.
• Communicates clearly with a wide range of people, and builds positive, trusting relationships, working well both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be willing and able to work flexible hours and to travel to several places within a working day.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Independent Travel Trainer Lead Officer role, team and our values. The section 'About you' explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

Benefits:

• Make a real difference every day - You'll be helping young people gain vital life skills that support their independence, confidence and wellbeing.
• Shape a brand new service - Contribute to the development of travel training in Hampshire from the ground up.
• Supportive team environment - You'll be part of an inclusive, collaborative forward-thinking team that values innovation, collaboration and professional growth
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• A competitive benefits package that includes generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK before applying.

Travel Requirements:

You may be required to visit other locations within Hampshire, and therefore need to have the ability to travel, as necessary.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children's Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.