More than a journey to school. A step towards lifelong independence.

A journey to school or college can be the start of much greater independence. As a SEND Independent Travel Trainer at Wokingham Borough Council, you’ll help children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) learn to travel safely and independently to their school or college. The confidence and skills they develop can also open up opportunities beyond education - from meeting friends to taking part in activities in their local community. If you’re patient, practical and enthusiastic about helping young people take that next step, we’d love to hear from you.

Joining our School Admissions & Home to School Transport Team, you’ll provide practical, personalised training on each young person’s journey to and from school or college. Whether walking or using buses and trains, you’ll support them at their own pace to learn their route, understand timetables and build the skills to manage their journey. You’ll work closely with families, schools, colleges and SEND transport colleagues, keeping each young person’s needs and safety at the heart of their training.

⭐Staff Benefits⭐ 

In return for the skills and commitment you bring, we offer an extensive range of employee benefits, including: 

⭐Generous Annual Leave – 27 days annual leave (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays 

⭐Local Government Pension Scheme  

⭐GP Helpline - Available 7 days a week 

⭐Employee Assistance Programme – Including a 24/7 Your Care Helpline 

⭐Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines 

⭐Free Onsite Gym - Located at Shute End Offices, Wokingham 

⭐Local & Lifestyle Discounts - Save on shopping, entertainment, dining out & more 

⭐Move through Menopause Course 

⭐Sports & Social Group Activities - Including running, football, cricket & more 

⭐Learning & Development Opportunities 

⭐Employee Networks 

⭐And more! 

What you’ll do: 

• Deliver tailored travel training on journeys to and from school or college, teaching road safety, safe walking routes and the skills needed to use buses and trains independently.
• Work with the SEND Transport Officer/Independent Travel Training Lead to assess each young person’s needs, develop individual training plans and undertake route and individual risk assessments.
• Build positive relationships with parents, carers, schools and colleges, working together to support each young person’s progress towards independent travel.
• Keep clear records, report on progress and make recommendations for next steps, maintaining a strong focus on safeguarding throughout.
• Champion the benefits of independent travel, support workshops and contribute to the wider SEND transport team’s day-to-day work.

What you’ll bring: 

• Energy, enthusiasm and a patient, encouraging approach, with the ability to connect with young people and build their confidence as they learn to travel independently.
• GCSE qualifications and relevant experience of supporting children or young people with SEND and their families in education, transport, social care or children’s services.
• A good understanding of SEND, Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and safeguarding practices.
• Excellent communication skills, with the patience and ability to adapt your approach to individual needs and remain calm in challenging situations.
• Confidence planning journeys, reading timetables and using online journey planners, public transport and safe walking routes to support young people in practical training.
• Good organisational and IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel, and the ability to prioritise your workload and write clear progress reports.

Previous experience of independent travel training is desirable, but not essential. You’ll need flexibility to work around journey times, including early mornings and after school, with some Saturday work potentially required. This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

You will be accompanying young people on their journeys, so working hours will typically be early mornings and late afternoons, coinciding with their journeys to school or college at the start of the day and home afterwards.

Access to a car is helpful, as you may need to travel across the borough.

Our Area: 

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside.  

We’re home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. The borough has a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life.  

Ready to help young people take their next step towards independence? Apply using the link below. To find out more or arrange an informal conversation about the role, please email Imalka Slaughter at Imalka.Slaughter@wokingham.gov.uk. We’d love to hear from you. (Strictly no agencies). 

Closing date: 30^th November at 11pm 

Interview date: W/C

Whilst this is a fixed term contract appointment, for anyone already employed by Wokingham Borough Council this would be classed as a secondment if successful.  Therefore, the usual permission requests for secondments apply and you must speak to your line manager in the first instance before applying. 

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer. 

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. 

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. 

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks. 

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually. 

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion. 

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply. 

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.