Ealing Community Transport provides a variety of training services from our depot in Ealing. Our two main programmes are:
All our programmes are delivered by our experienced in-house trainers/assessors.
The Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme (MiDAS) training is the nationally-recognised standard for people who need to drive a minibus. Administered by the Community Transport Association (CTA), the training is for individuals and organisations wanting to improve passenger safety and comfort – and build driving skills and confidence behind the wheel.
The programme
Participants have a choice of taking the standard course or an extended course that prepares them to drive an accessible minibus.
Standard MiDAS: This course is taught in two parts – an online learning module and a driving assessment.
The online module is administered by the CTA and is designed for participants to complete at their own pace and time. We will arrange your individual access to the online learning platform as part of your course. It’s in bite-sized sessions, but is the equivalent of a half-day programme in total. The online module will cover:
The final part of the online module is a multiple choice test to check your understanding of the topics delivered.
The second part of the MiDAS programme is the individual practical session and driving assessment. The session takes about two hours and covers:
The final part of the practical session is the driving assessment, where participants can put all they’ve learned into practice.
Participants can arrange their practical session and driving assessment at a mutually convenient time once they have completed the online module (not available on Tuesdays or Friday PM). We can only provide manual-drive minibuses for this assessment.
Accessible MiDAS: This programme adds an additional scheduled classroom session onto the standard course – it is aimed at drivers who will be working with disabled people and using accessible minibuses. The additional content includes:
Refresher MiDAS: Regular refresher training – for both Standard and Accessible MiDAS – is a significant element of the scheme. A MiDAS certificate is valid for four years and we recommend that participants attend refresher training before their MiDAS certificate expires. Participants for Standard MiDAS will need to retake the online component – plus undertake a reassessment of their driving.
For the Accessible MiDAS, they will also need to attend an additional refresher classroom session that will review the material covered in the original training, as well as provide up-to-date information on equipment, minibuses, the law and safe practice. It also includes a reassessment of use of passenger lifts and securing wheelchairs on vehicles for travel.
How it works
Register: The first step to getting your MiDAS certificate is to register for our programme. The application form is available to download here (editable pdf). Complete the form and send it back to us at ealing@ectcharity.co.uk. Alternatively, you can download, print, hand-complete (basic form here) and return it by post to MiDAS Training, Ealing Community Transport, Greenford Depot, Greenford Road, Middlesex, UB6 9AN.
If you are a member of ECT’s Group Transport Services, the person in your organisation who usually books the transport, pays the invoices, or acts as group leader must authorise your attendance.
Licence checks: Please be aware that to drive a minibus in the UK, and as part of the MiDAS training, participants must meet all of the following conditions:
On the application form, we’ll ask for your consent to check these details with the DVLA online portal. We check all participants’ eligibility before you or your organisation pay any course fees. If you’d prefer not to share your licence details with us, you can instead visit https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence, and provide us with the code generated there.
Payment: Current fees for your various MiDAS options are here. Please note that we offer discounts for community groups and for groups of five and above. Once we receive your completed booking form and check participant eligibility, we’ll issue you with an invoice setting out the total to pay – and you or your organisation will have a choice of payment by BACS or credit/debit card. Please note, we must receive payment before you start your course.
Online module: Once we’ve received payment, we’ll issue you with your learner pass to the CTA’s learning portal, so you can get started with the online module.
Booking your practical session: Once you’ve passed your online module, please send an email to jay.solanki@ectcharity.co.uk stating you have completed it, along with a choice of three dates/times that work for you (not Tuesdays or Friday afternoons) to book your individual practical session and driving assessment. We will do our best to accommodate your choices wherever possible, but we may need to contact you to select further dates.
Who is the training for?
Our MiDAS training courses are available to those:
Where does training take place?
The online theory module takes place on the CTA’s online learning portal. The driving assessment and the additional module for Accessible MiDAS take place at Ealing Community Transport, Greenford Depot, Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9AN.
When does training take place?
The online module is available 24/7, so you can complete it at a time and place convenient to you. The individual practical session and driving assessment is arranged for a mutually convenient time. You can find the schedule for Accessible MiDAS modules here.
What do I need to bring?
You are required to produce your driving licence and your National Insurance number at the individual practical session and driving assessment.
Is there parking at the depot?
Please be advised that parking is not available on site. There is general parking on the Greenford Road and surrounding streets, but spaces can be difficult to find. Please allow additional time for finding a space and walking to the depot. On arrival at the depot, please report to the security hut who will direct you accordingly?
Are refreshments provided for the in-person parts of the programme?
Tea, coffee and water will be provided. A vending machine with snacks is also available.
The Passenger Assistant Training Scheme (PATS) is the nationally-recognised standard for those who provide care and assistance to passengers travelling on the road, whether in minibuses, cars, taxis or large buses. We currently offer PATS training at our Ealing Depot.
The programme
PATS training is made up of five modules, each designed to provide the skills and knowledge required by a Passenger Assistant. The course includes classroom training, a written assessment and a practical skills assessment.
The course lasts between one and two full days depending on the number of modules chosen. We highly recommend that delegates undertake all PATS modules.
Refresher PATS: Regular refresher training is a significant element of the PATS programme. We recommend that participants attend refresher training before their PATS certificate expires. This training will review the material covered in the original training, as well as provide up-to-date information on the legal, practical and safety issues surrounding the passenger assistant role.
Who is the PATS training for?
We provide PATS training to those:
Where does training take place?
Ealing Community Transport, Greenford Depot, Greenford Road, Greenford, Middlesex UB6 9AN.
When does training take place?
We schedule PATS training when we have sufficient interest to make a viable cohort. Please indicate your interest by emailing at ealing@ectcharity.co.uk. We’ll then keep you up-to-date with the latest course information.
How much does training cost?
Please click here for further information and detail on prices. Please note that we offer discounts for community groups and for groups of five and above.
