Rehabilitation Officer / Worker Visual Impairment

Applefields School; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Applefields School in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, is seeking a Vision Rehabilitation Officer/Worker to empower people with sight loss to live independently. This permanent role offers full and part-time hours and requires an essential rehabilitation qualification.

You will assess needs, teach mobility, support daily living, and work with carers and health professionals to maximise independence, with DBS check and safeguarding commitment.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people with visual impairments or sensory needs.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong ability to manage own caseload and work independently.
• Committed to safeguarding and person-centred practice.
• A relevant qualification in rehabilitation work with visually impaired people is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assessing needs and developing rehabilitation programmes.
• Teaching orientation and mobility skills.
• Supporting clients to develop communication and daily living skills.
• Recommending specialist equipment and adaptations.
• Collaborating with carers and health professionals.
• Reviewing progress against outcomes.
• Promoting awareness of sight loss within communities.
• Participating in safeguarding activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Caseload management

Independent working

Education

Rehabilitation qualification

Job description

Rehabilitation Officer / Worker Visual Impairment

Salary: £37,481 to £44,253 per annum (Pro rata for part-time roles)

Grade: JK

Contract Type: Permanent

Vacancy Hours: Full and Part-time roles available

Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire

Make a Difference Every Day

Are you passionate about empowering people to live independently and achieve their goals?

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to join our experienced and well-established specialist countywide Sensory Services Team. This is an exciting opportunity to work with people of all ages living with sight loss, helping them develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to live safely and successfully within their communities and to be part of a highly supportive, passionate and knowledgeable staff group.

As part of our dedicated team, which includes Sensory Social Workers, Communicator Guides as well as Sensory Officers, you will deliver specialist rehabilitation support, training and advice that helps people reduce, delay or prevent the need for ongoing care and support services. We are a countywide team, so the ability to travel across the county independently is essential, work base location can be discussed at interview.

About the Role

You will work directly with individuals who have visual impairments, providing person-centred rehabilitation programmes tailored to their needs and desired outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assessing needs and developing rehabilitation programmes that promote independence.
• Teaching orientation and mobility skills to enable safe and confident travel.
• Supporting individuals to develop and maintain communication and daily living skills.
• Recommending and providing specialist equipment and adaptations.
• Working with carers to ensure they have the advice and support they need.
• Undertaking reviews and monitoring progress against agreed outcomes.
• Promoting awareness and understanding of sight loss among colleagues, partner organisations and local communities.
• Being part of and actively supporting awareness training to partner agencies
• Promoting and holding drop-in sessions in the community with visually impaired people and colleagues
• Working collaboratively with health professionals, voluntary organisations and community services to maximise opportunities and resources for people.
• Contributing to safeguarding activity and promoting the wellbeing of vulnerable adults.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of working with people with visual impairments, sensory needs or within a rehabilitation, health or social care setting but will also consider newly qualified applicants
• Is passionate about supporting people to maximise their independence and quality of life.
• Has excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Can build positive relationships with individuals, families, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Is organised and able to manage their own caseload effectively.
• Can work independently while contributing positively to a supportive team environment.
• Has a strong commitment to safeguarding and person-centred practice.

A relevant qualification in rehabilitation work with visually impaired people is essential (sensory services, health or social care would be advantageous.)

What We Offer

In return, we offer:

• A rewarding role where you can make a genuine difference to people's lives.
• Opportunities for professional development and learning.
• Flexible and supportive working arrangements.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Access to a range of employee wellbeing and benefits programmes.
• The opportunity to work within an experienced and highly valued specialist service.

Additional Information

This post requires an Enhanced DBS check.

As this role involves direct communication with service users, applicants must be able to demonstrate a confident use of the English language.