Rehabilitation Officer/Worker Visual Impairment

Applefields School; Whitby; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Wellbeing benefits

Flexible working

Professional development

Specialist service

Job summary

Applefields School in Whitby, North Yorkshire, seeks a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to empower individuals with visual impairments to live independently. You will deliver person-centered rehabilitation, education on mobility, and equipment recommendations within a countywide Sensory Services Team.

The role requires a relevant rehabilitation qualification for visually impaired people and a commitment to safeguarding, with travel across the county as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience working with people with visual impairments or sensory needs in rehabilitation/health/social care settings.
• Passion for maximising independence and quality of life.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with individuals, families, colleagues and partner organisations.
• Organised and able to manage own caseload effectively.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a supportive team.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and person-centred practice.

Responsibilities

• Assess needs and develop rehabilitation programmes that promote independence.
• Teach orientation and mobility skills for safe travel.
• Support individuals to develop daily living skills and communication.
• Recommend and provide specialist equipment and adaptations.
• Work with carers to provide advice and support.
• Review progress against agreed outcomes.

Skills

Vision rehabilitation

Communication skills

Safeguarding awareness

Caseload management

Team collaboration

Empathy

Education

Rehabilitation qualification for visually impaired people

Job description

Rehabilitation Officer/Worker Visual Impairment

Salary: £39,481 to £44,253 per annum (pro-rata for Part Time)

Grade: JK

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time and Part Time Roles available

Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire

Make a Difference Every Day

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

We're 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 ahighly 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.

Interviews will be held on Microsoft Teams

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.

Rehabilitation Officer/Worker Visual Impairment