Rehabilitation Officer / Worker Visual Impairment

Kirklees Metropolitan Council; Scarborough; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee wellbeing and benefits

Flexible and supportive working

Job summary

North Yorkshire Council is seeking a Rehabilitation Officer/Worker to support visually impaired individuals across the county. The role focuses on person-centred rehabilitation, independence, and mobility training within a supportive specialist team.

You will assess needs, develop tailored programmes, and work with carers and health partners to maximise outcomes. DBS enhanced disclosure is required, and English language proficiency is essential.

Qualifications

• Diploma HE Rehabilitation Studies is an essential requirement for this role.
• NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care / QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care is advantageous.
• Experience in rehabilitation/health or social care settings is preferred.
• Strong safeguarding commitment and person-centred practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Assessing needs and developing rehabilitation programmes to promote independence.
• Teaching orientation and mobility skills for safe travel.
• Supporting individuals to develop daily living and communication skills.
• Recommending equipment and adaptations.
• Collaborating with carers to provide advice and support.
• Reviews and progress monitoring against outcomes.
• Promoting awareness of sight loss among colleagues and communities.
• Holding community drop-in sessions with visually impaired people and colleagues.
• Collaborating with health professionals and voluntary organisations to maximise opportunities.
• Contributing to safeguarding and wellbeing of vulnerable adults.

Skills

Experience with visual impairments

Excellent communication skills

Person-centred approach

Independent working

Education

Diploma HE Rehabilitation Studies

NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care / QCF Level 3 Diploma

Job description

Make a Difference Every Day

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

We’re looking for a motivated, compassionate and qualified Rehabilitation Officer/Worker 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 Diploma HE Rehabilitation Studies – or predecessors, is an essential requirement for this role. If in addition you hold an NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care/ QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care this 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.

If you are committed to helping people with visual impairments achieve greater independence and wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the roles please contact Thomas Kellner, Sensory Operational Manager on 01609 532044 or email [e-mail]

Key Documents

Job Description Rehabilitation Officer / Worker Visual Impairment.docx

Total Rewards

Key Dates

Closing Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026

Shortlisting Date: Thursday 29 October 2026

Interview Date: Monday 02 & Tuesday 03 November 2026

Venue for Interview: Microsoft Teams

***DBS***

Enhanced Level DBS Disclosure is required for appointment to this post.

It is a criminal offence for people who are barred from working in Regulated Activity (under the Safeguarding and Vulnerable Groups Act 2006) to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with adults at risk.

We are committed to the inclusion, safeguarding, and promoting the welfare of adults at risk.

NYC are committed to directly recruiting staff and will not accept applications nor services from agency suppliers in respect of our vacancies.

We are committed to meeting the needs of our diverse community and aim to have a workforce reflecting this diversity. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

North Yorkshire Councils’ purpose is to deliver services and facilities to the diverse residents and visitors of North Yorkshire. To ensure we deliver inclusive services we strive to have a diverse workforce where everybody can be themselves by respecting differences and embedding equality of opportunity. We celebrate diversity and recognise each other’s contributions; we therefore welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Company: North Yorkshire Council

Salary: £39,481 to £44,253 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Healthcare Management

Sector: Rehabilitation

Job Role: Officer