Transport Eligibility Officers (SEND) | Bamber Bridge

Salary £37,563 - £42,123 per annum | Permanent, Full Time 37 hours per week | Bamber Bridge (Hybrid Working)

Please note that we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role

An exciting new role within Lancashire County Council's Accessible Transport Service

We're recruiting two Transport Eligibility Officers (SEND) to join our expanding Accessible Transport Service. This is a newly created role that will play a vital part in ensuring children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can access education through appropriate travel assistance arrangements.

The Accessible Transport Service works with families, schools, transport providers and partner services to deliver safe and effective transport solutions for children, young people and vulnerable adults across Lancashire. As our service continues to develop, we're creating a dedicated assessment function to strengthen decision-making and improve outcomes for SEND passengers.

Job Role/Key Responsibilities

You'll be responsible for assessing applications for home to school transport assistance, determining eligibility in line with legislation and council policy, and ensuring decisions are fair, consistent and evidence based.

Working closely with our Eligibility and Needs Assessment Team and Safer Travel Team, you'll also undertake passenger risk assessments to identify the right level of transport support, helping to ensure children and young people travel safely and successfully to education.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess applications for home to school transport assistance for children and young people with SEND.
• Evaluate complex medical, educational and disability-related evidence to determine eligibility.
• Produce clear, evidence-based decisions that can withstand appeals and scrutiny.
• Complete passenger risk assessments and develop safety plans to ensure appropriate levels of support are provided.
• Work collaboratively with the Eligibility and Needs Assessment Team and Safer Travel Team.
• Investigate and respond to transport appeals.
• Liaise with families, schools, transport providers and partner agencies.
• Contribute to service improvement and the development of best practice across the Accessible Transport Service.

About You

We're looking for individuals who have experience working with children and young people with SEND and who can confidently assess needs and make balanced decisions based on evidence.

You will have:

• Experience of carrying out assessments and making recommendations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• The ability to interpret policy, guidance and legislation.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality customer-focused services.
• A passion for achieving positive outcomes for children, young people and families.

Why join us?

This is a unique opportunity to help shape a brand-new role within a service that makes a real difference every day. You'll join a supportive and forward-thinking team committed to innovation, collaboration and delivering positive outcomes for Lancashire residents.

What we offer:

• A rewarding role with genuine purpose.
• Opportunities for professional development and progression.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements where appropriate.
• Supportive management and team environment.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Access to a range of employee wellbeing benefits.

Join us

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity where your expertise can help ensure children and young people with SEND receive the right travel support to access education, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us deliver safe, effective and person-centred transport solutions for Lancashire's children and young people.

Closing Date: 01/11/2026

Please ensure you upload a supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the criteria for the role.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.