PATS
The Passenger Assistant Training Scheme is the counterpart to MiDAS: it covers the person supporting passengers rather than the person driving. For many of the journeys we plan to run, that role is the one that makes the journey possible at all.
We cannot deliver PATS courses
Community Ride Hub is not a PATS accredited training centre. We cannot train, assess or certificate passenger assistants under PATS, for our own people or for other organisations. This page sets out what the scheme covers and how we intend to use it in future.
Why the escort role matters
A driver has to stay with the vehicle. When a passenger needs someone to walk them from the front door, steady them on a ramp, hold a conversation that keeps them calm, or notice that they are not themselves today, that is a passenger assistant's job — often called an escort.
On school transport, day centre runs and hospital journeys, the escort is frequently the reason a passenger can travel safely at all. PATS exists so that role is trained and assessed rather than improvised.
What PATS typically covers
- The role and legal responsibilities of a passenger assistant, and the limits of that role
- Disability awareness and communicating respectfully with passengers with a wide range of needs
- Safe assisting: helping someone board and alight, using ramps and tail lifts with the driver
- Wheelchair handling and correct restraint of both the chair and the passenger
- Moving and handling principles, and importantly what an assistant should not attempt
- Behaviour, distress and de-escalation, including supporting passengers living with dementia
- Medical incidents, emergency procedures and evacuation with passengers who cannot self-evacuate
- Confidentiality, dignity, consent and safeguarding responsibilities
Like MiDAS, PATS is normally delivered in modules — a general passenger assistant element plus elements for specific passenger groups such as children or people with complex needs.
How we intend to use PATS
- Escorts on services where they are needed would be PATS assessed through an existing accredited provider in the first instance, with the certificate held on their Community Ride Hub training record.
- Our own induction and safeguarding training would sit alongside PATS, not instead of it — PATS covers the craft, our induction covers our vehicles, routes, policies and reporting lines.
- Where a commissioner or school requires PATS-trained escorts on a contract, we would need that in place before we accepted the work, not afterwards.
- In the medium term we intend to seek accredited centre status so escort training can be delivered in-house alongside driver training.
Common questions
Do I need PATS to volunteer as an escort?
PATS is not a legal requirement, but for some journeys — particularly school and health transport — commissioners insist on it. Where it is needed, we would arrange it rather than expect you to fund it yourself.
Can Community Ride Hub certificate me under PATS?
Not currently. We are not an accredited centre and cannot issue PATS certification to anyone.
Is a passenger assistant a carer?
No. A passenger assistant supports someone to travel safely. Personal care, medication and clinical tasks sit outside the role, and PATS is clear about those boundaries.
I have care experience but no transport background. Is that useful?
Very. Patience, calm and good communication are the hardest parts to teach. The transport specifics — restraints, ramps, evacuation — are exactly what training is for.
Downloadable overview
A short PDF for organisations covering what PATS includes, our accreditation position, and next steps: Download PATS overview (PDF).
Request training
Tell us about a PATS or related training need for your organisation.
An enquiry, not a booking
We cannot deliver accredited PATS courses today. This form records your interest so we can reply when arrangements are clearer.
Interested in the escort role?
Register your interest in volunteering and tell us what experience you already have.