Rehabilitation Officer - Visually Impaired

Integrated Care System; Barnsley; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Barnsley is seeking a qualified Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired individuals. The successful candidate will provide mobility training, assess needs, and promote independence in the community. This role entails working closely within a supportive team and maintaining accurate records. Ideal applicants will hold a Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies and possess strong interpersonal skills. A driving license is essential for this position, which offers flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of working autonomously to plan and carry out rehabilitation programmes.
• Current driving licence and access to a car during working day is essential.
• Experience of complex cases involving multi-agency working.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments and provide mobility training for visually impaired individuals.
• Order equipment and provide independent living skills.
• Keep clear and accurate records of service user interactions.

Skills

Autonomy

Relationship Building

Mobility Training

Education

Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies (Visual Impairment) or equivalent

Tools

IT Skills

Job description

Go back South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Rehabilitation Officer - Visually Impaired

The closing date is 20 August 2025

Hello my name is Nicola Turton, Service Managerfor The Equipment, Adaptation and Sensory Impairment Team (EASI) inBarnsley. The EASI team have an excitingopportunity for a qualifiedRehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired (ROVI), 30 hrs per week.

We are a small & friendly team ofOccupational Therapists, Equipment & Adaptation Officers, Administrationstaff, ROVIs & Sensory workers. Were a close-knit, supportive group whogenuinely look out for one another.

We are looking for an innovative,committed, and caring ROVI who can promote independence & reduce risk forpeople with a visual impairment who are living in the community. You will workwith the social model of disability & use evidence-based practice to carryout person centred assessments to identify needs & take appropriate action.

You will be involved inproviding independent living skills & mobility training to people with avisual impairment including providing specialist equipment. You will alsosupport junior staff with their assessments. You will also participate in deliveringsensory awareness training as required to ensure other service providers areaware of the impact of sensory impairment.

All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to befully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

Main duties of the job

You will carry your own caseload & workautonomously in the community. Following an initial assessment you will orderequipment & provide independent living skills & mobility training wherenecessary.

You will need to keep clear, factual &accurate records & be able to prepare reports. You will then carry out reviews as & whennecessary.

You will work jointly with other serviceproviders/professionals to maximise service users safety & independence aswell as providing relevant information for family/carers.

We cover the whole of Barnsley & you willbe assessing service users 18+ but primarily service users 65+ who have asevere sight impairment & who are having problems with their activities ofdaily living skills or mobility & unable to complete essential tasks safely& independently.

You will receive regular supervision,participate in training & development & team meetings. You will also beexpected to support your colleagues & help with induction of new members ofstaff.

We currently have a blended way of workingbetween base & home which gives flexibility.

Atthe time of advertising, this role does not meet the minimum requirements setby UK Visas & Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. For thisreason, we are unable to sponsor anyone for a skilled worker visa for this role.Weare happy to accept applications from candidates who can prove their right towork in the UK or via alternative visa routes.

About us

Weare a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental healthand learning disability services for the people of Barnsley, Calderdale,Kirklees and Wakefield. We also provide low and medium secure services and arethe lead for the west Yorkshire secure provider collaborative.

Our mission isto help people reach their potential and live well in their communities, we do thisby providing high-quality care in the right place at the right time. We employstaff in both clinical and non-clinical services who work hard to make adifference to the lives of service users, families and carers.

We encourageand welcome applications from all protected characteristic groups, we valuediversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities.

Beinga foundation Trust means were accountable to ourmembers, who can have a say in how were run. Around 14,300 local people(including staff) are members of our Trust.

Joinus and you will be one of over 4,500 staff committed to supporting and improvingthe mental, physical and social needs of the thousands of people we meet andhelp each year.

Weare committedto safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all colleagues and volunteers to share thiscommitment.

We do reserve to right to close vacancy before the advertised closing date if necessary, so please apply as soon as possible.

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY:

1. To work as part of a multi disciplinary service to provide a specialist assessment and rehabilitation service to people with sensory impairment and their carers to maximise their independence and well being.

2. To provide a specialist information and guidance service to visually impaired people and their carers and others through information days and training events

ORGANISATION CHART

Service Manager

Senior Rehabilitation Officer

Rehabilitation Officer (THIS POST)

KEY RESULT AREAS:

• To provide an holistic assessment of the needs of visually impaired people and their carers who are referred into the service.
• To provide training to promote independence
• Mobility and orientation
• To advise on relevant equipment to assist with daily living tasks, to demonstrate and give training on its use
• To provide training in communication methods, e.g. Braille, keyboard, writing and use of the telephone
• In agreement with the service user (and their carer) to plan, implement and review rehabilitation programmes.
• To work with groups of service users to implement training programmes.
• To achieve the planned outcomes for each service user by providing advice and training.
• Provide low level counselling to the service user (and their carer) to be able to start an effective rehabilitations programme and to achieve agreed goals.
• To direct service users to other colleagues/agencies as required.
• To work with other services and agencies as necessary to meet the individual and particular needs of service user(s).
• To use safe established approaches to treatment and ensure the safety of the service user at all times.
• To deliver specialist training to raise awareness of the implications of sensory impairment within the Barnsley Business Delivery Unit of South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and other agencies and service providers as required.
• 11. To provide support on sensory matters to colleagues of other disciplines.
• To advice of gaps in service provision and contribute to service planning.
• To develop and maintain links with other agencies including the low vision service and other local service providers (voluntary and independent).
• To ensure that electronic case records and reports are concise, accurate and timely.
• To undertake training and development as required by the post and to maintain professional standards in accordance with continuing professional development.
• Carry out other duties as appropriate to the post and grade as required by the Service Manager.

COMMUNICATION WITH OTHERS:

Particular attention to communicating with service users is required to ensure correct communication methods, including using the various methods used to communicate with deaf and blind service users.

Communicate with service users and their family to discuss the impact of frequently deteriorating medical conditions/disability. Explore and negotiate reasonable action often in life changing circumstances and complicated family dynamics.

Use verbal, written, electronic communication methods with:

Colleagues across health services and social services

Particularly health colleagues in ophthalmology, optometry and audiology services

Workers of variety of voluntary organisations.

Independent sector; suppliers and contractors

Trust Values:

The Trust is committed to ensuring the highest standards of care and treatment and expects that all staff treat people e.g, service users, their carers, relatives, friends, colleagues, visitors etc, with dignity and respectat all time. The post holder must all time act in accordance with the Trusts Values:

Honest, open, transparent

Respectful

Person first and in the centre

Improve and be outstanding

Relevant today, ready for tomorrow

Families and carers matter

Safeguarding:

Report any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of children, adults service users, members of their families etc, in accordance with Trust Policy.

Prevent and respond appropriately to abuse and understand own role in this by undertaking Safeguarding training.

Trust policies and commitments to be read in line with the relevant Trust Policy:

All staff employed by the Trust must comply with the Trusts policies and procedures, undertake appropriate training required for their role and commit to:

ensure they are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and how they raise concerns;

maintain confidentiality, in line with the Trusts Confidentiality Policy and Code of Conduct;

understand their personal responsibilities with regards to data quality for any information which they create, use or process in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), The Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) and Trust Data Protection policy;

comply with the provisions of The Trusts Health and Safety Policy and Protocol. Ensuring their own safety and that of colleagues, service users and visitors. Know the action to be taken in the event of a fire and must undertake fire training annually;

receive supervision in line with the Trusts Supervision Policy and an annual Appraisal in line with the Trusts Appraisal Policy, during which mandatory, role specific and personal development needs should be identified and agreed;

understand their responsibilities under the Trusts Equal Opportunities in Employment Policy and ensure that they adhere to the provisions of the policy;

recognise, respect and support the equality diversity of staff, colleagues, service users, carers and the public. Contribute to a working environment which promotes and responds positively to difference and diversity;

ensure they carry out their duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people under the age of 18 years, as issued under Section 11 of The Children Act 2004, by being familiar with and adhering to Trust safeguarding policies and participatingin relevanttraining;

comply with their professional responsibilities to develop their practice and deliver care through a Clinical Governance framework (i.e. CPD, Audit, Supervision);

demonstrate, through practice and practical understanding, the importance of the continual development of individual, team and service wide quality improvement;

abide by relevant codes of professional practice, with the organisation taking action when codes of conduct are breached;

work flexibly to meet the needs of the service/organisation, whilst working within a culture of progressive employment practices and commitment to the Investors in People (IiP) Standards.

adhere to the Trusts smoke free policies, which prohibits smoking anywhere on Trust grounds;

being socially responsible by complying with measures that support the Trust in reducing or offsetting our environmental impact;

Identify and report risks, hazards, incidents, accidents and near misses promptly;

In addition to the Trusts own responsibilities under the Health and Social Care Act 2008, Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, for your safety, ALL staff (and contractors) are responsible for ensuring their work adheres to this Code in the delivery of safe patient care.

This job description is an outline of the main duties of the post. The postholder will be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the band as directed. The content of this post will be reviewed in consultation with the postholder when necessary and in line with the service developments.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

We are aware that an increasing number of applicants areusing AI technology to generate responses on NHS Job application forms. Westrongly discourage this and will conduct a thorough screening process beforeselecting candidates to progress to the next stage. If you are using AI toenhance your application, please disclose this in your NHS Jobs applicationform.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of using IT as an effective work tool.
• Experience of working autonomously to plan and carry out rehabilitation programmes.
• Experience of working in a number of settings including community social services.
• Experience of complex cases involving multi-agency working.

Personal Attributes

• Ability to form good relationships with service users and to be able to withdraw as required.
• Able to work in a team and develop good working relationships with colleagues.
• Understand other agency purpose and functions and able to use to the benefit of service users.
• Able to work outdoors, sometimes in poor weather.
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).

Qualifications

• Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies (Visual Impairment) or equivalent.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation.

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Skills to analyse situations, obtain a persons trust and agree goals.
• Able to produce a rehabilitation plan that will achieve goals.
• Able to work on a one to one basis with service users when isolated from colleagues and use own initiative.
• Skills to manage a large caseload and prioritise work according to risk to make best use of resources.
• Able to plan own time to make appointments, be on time and meet work deadlines.
• Knowledge and understanding of confidentiality and information security.

Training

• Commitment to continuous personal development through appropriate training opportunities - evidence of continued professional development.

Physical Attributes

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post. A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust