Introduction
Wherever possible, children with special needs (learning,
behavioural or physical disabilities) are educated in mainstream
schools or special units, rather than in residential
establishments. Local authorities have a duty to provide
transport for the children, who must be supervised during the
journeys. Councils employ escorts to do so. School
escorts are sometimes known as school transport escorts.
Work Environment
School escorts are responsible for children from the time they
leave their parents or carers - at home or at pre-arranged pick up
point - until they are placed in the care of the school, and
similarly on the return journey. Hours of work are part-time
at the beginning and end of the school day. Escorts might
work for approximately three or four hours a day, in term time
only.
Daily Activities
School escorts start work from 7am onwards, depending on the
number of children they have to collect and the route
involved. Few authorities expect Escorts to use their own
cars; instead, the children are collected from home in a coach,
minibus or taxi that picks up several children. This varies
according to children's needs. Some require constant care and
attention during the journey and sometimes two or more escorts
travel in one vehicle, each looking after allocated children.
They help children into the vehicle (which might involve some
lifting) and make sure that they are safely seated and wearing a
seat belt. During the journey they talk to the children,
prevent any disruptive behaviour and attend to physical needs or
incidents - a child might be sick, incontinent or have epileptic
convulsions, for instance. They may have to restrain children
physically on some occasions. They report any incidents to
the child's teacher or parent and, as soon as possible, to the
escort supervisor.
At the end of the day they are responsible for handing children
over safely to their parents or carers. If they fail to meet
the child for any reason the escort must place them in the care of
another responsible adult - or remain with them until the
parent/carer arrives.
Skills & Interests
School escorts should be able to establish a rapport with children
- and be sensitive to their special needs. The relationship
between escort and child can last for some years and education
departments usually aim to try to keep the same escort with a child
for as long as possible since change unsettles children. They
also need to be:
- confident;
- able to deal with difficult or unexpected situations as they
arise;
- punctual, reliable and able to work without supervision;
- physically fit;
- qualified in first aid - or willing to acquire skills;
- able to speak clearly, with good communication skills;
- able to interact with a variety of people - they are in daily
contact with teachers and carers and may work closely with school
transport drivers.
They are given information on all the children in their care and
must keep these details confidential.
Entry Requirements
There are no standard entry requirements but councils normally
look for previous experience of caring for or working with
children. Experience in working with children with special
needs is desirable and some authorities give preference to people
with nursing experience. Child care qualifications are an
advantage.
Some councils use psychometric tests as part of their selection
procedure - to ensure that applicants have the right personal
qualities. During the interview they might ask applicants how
they would deal with particular situations that might arise.
As this is a job which gives access to children it is necessary for
applicants to agree to their employing council undertaking a police
check to establish whether they have a criminal record. (This
need not be a bar to employment but is at councils'
discretion.)
Training is provided. Induction training usually covers
special needs, children's behaviour, first aid, manual handling and
lifting of children. Once appointed, escorts may be required
to attend occasional training courses and may undertake relevant
NVQs/SVQs.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Most councils employ several school escorts. Numbers vary
according to the numbers of children with special needs.
There are prospects of promotion to Escort Supervisor, responsible
for a geographical area.
Further Information & Services
Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education www.cache.org.uk
National Day Nurseries Association www.ndna.org.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.