Driving Miss Daisy Companion Driver Job Description

Location Didcot

Hours Part-time and Full-time available Monday – Friday and occasional weekends.

Start date ASAP

Reporting Line Business Manager

Salary: £13.00-£14.00 per hour

Licence/Certification: DVLA Driving License (required)

About us
We provide a service bridging the gap between taxis, public transport, and voluntary agencies; primarily helping senior citizens but also families and vulnerable people of all ages.

We support members of our communities and help them stay independent and safe, such as:

• Taking people to medical appointments or carrying out prescription collections.

• Shopping trips and days out.

• Companionship at home or out and about.

• Taking children and young adults to or from school and activities, including those with Special Educational Needs.

Therefore, it is vital that you have a background in care, experience in caring for people (this could be your own family members) and / or have a genuine passion for working with vulnerable people and providing person-centric care.

Key Responsibilities

1. To drive in a caring and professional manner, client engagement, selling the sizzle!
2. To provide professional and caring companionship services
3. To manage time effectively/organisational skills/prioritise
4. To escalate concerns, issues, accidents, issues

Key Tasks

In Support of Responsibility 1

• CDs will build a professional and trusting relationship with the client through genuine care, excellent communication, attentive behaviour and always providing a value-added service

• Driving is the primary responsibility of the CD role, and this will entail going through a Private Hire Licence application – including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

• Additional mandatory training must also be undertaken as follows: Emergency First Aid at Work, Dementia Friends & Dignity in Care Champions, Safeguarding & Disability Awareness

• CDs will be expected to perform their driving tasks with utmost safety, care, courtesy, and in an engaging and friendly manner with every client interaction

• CDs will explore with clients what other services Driving Miss Daisy can offer through explanation of our core business to explore new business opportunities (without coercion or persuasion)

• CDs will identify opportunities to promote our services (for example, delivering neighbour cards or point of sale in-between client journeys

• CDs will be responsible for the safety, maintenance, cleanliness of their vehicle (to Covid-19 standards in-between journeys)

• CDs will ensure the safety of all clients travelling in their vehicle paying particular attention to the careful securing of wheelchairs (with or without a seated client), luggage and other personal belongings of the client (training will be provided on wheelchair securing)

• CDs must renew all licences and training at relevant intervals and provide certificated evidence when required

In support of Responsibility 2

• CDs will provide a trusting, respecting and professional and appropriate level of companionship, support, guidance to any clients of any age requiring their involvement

• CDs will engage clients through effective communication strategies that are appropriate to the individual client (including children), adjusting the service offering to meeting the needs of the client

• CDs will incorporate dynamic risk assessments to ensure client safety and welfare is maintained at all times whilst in their company either at home or out and about (or in their vehicles)

• CDs will always consult with clients to ensure they are comfortable, happy with the company and willing to undertake the task booked (bearing in mind clients may become unwell, feel tired, or too frail at any given point)

In support of Responsibility 3

• CDs will have a busy workload, moving from client to client, journey to journey. Time management, organisational skills, managing diaries and online calendars in support of the

Franchise Owner are essential in this role

• Being flexible, agile, and thinking ahead to cope in times of adversity is equally essential

• Collecting cash is part of the role and CDs must do this accurately, recording the cash taken, ensuring it is stored safely and provided to their line manager at the first opportunity

In support of Responsibility 4

• CDs are in a position of power and significant responsibility with the Driving Miss Daisy client group. They must always observe behaviours, understand client support needs, and manage a variety of issues that may arise when working with the public.

• CDs must work closely with their line manager and escalate any concerns they have about a client’s welfare or safety, whilst respecting and maintaining client confidentiality as appropriate.

• CDs must take responsible and proportionate action in the case of emergencies or significant incidents using a common-sense approach to ensure the clients welfare is always of primary concern.

• CDs must remain in contact with their line manager during the normal course of their work and from time-to-time document incidents or issues that arise formally in writing

• CDs must remain calm and take a lead in managing demanding situations which may include challenging behaviour, accidents, medical emergencies, or illnesses in the vehicle, out in the community or at a client’s home

Other
There may be occasions where other tasks are required that are not listed above, the post-holder will assist wherever possible towards the efficient, professional, and friendly running of the service whilst acting as an ambassador of the organisation.

Companion Drivers must comply COVID-19 safety requirements and be able to wear PPE.

Uniform & PPE will be provided.

Skills

You will need to have:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to communicate with a range of people using a variety of communication methods

• A background in care, experience in caring for people (could be family members) and / or a genuine passion for working with people and providing person-centred care.

• Good knowledge of Didcot, Oxford Hospitals, and surrounding areas

• Excellent driving skills and hold a full clean driving license

• The capacity to work under pressure and to take a problem-solving approach to work

• Effective organisational skills with the ability to prioritise your own and others workload

• An understanding of accountability to ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements

• Competence with using mobile phones, Apps and Satnavs

You will also need the right values and behaviours to work with us. These include:

• Integrity

• Empathy

• Professionalism

• Safety

• Fun

To apply, please complete the enquiry form below.