Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officer

The Role

Do you see yourself making a lasting difference in the lives of people with sight loss?

Can you use your specialist skills to support people to live more independently?Does the idea of joining a supportive and experienced team sound like the next step in your career?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Sensory Impairment Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officer to join our amazing team and help make a real difference today!

About the Role:

This is a rewarding and impactful role within Southwark's Adult Social Care division. As a Visual Impairment Rehabilitation Officer, you'll work closely with residents experiencing sight loss or dual sensory loss, helping them regain independence and achieve their goals. You'll conduct assessments and provide tailored rehabilitation, including training in orientation, mobility, low vision, and independent living skills.

You'll be part of a team that values empowerment and person-centred care. Working alongside another experienced Officer, your work will directly enhance the quality of life for people in the borough.

About You:

We're looking for someone who is committed, compassionate, and professional. You will have:

• A relevant Honours Degree or DipHE/Foundation Degree in Rehabilitation Studies (Visual Impairment) or equivalent.
• Professional registration with RWPN (recommended).
• Practical experience of working with adults who have a visual impairment.
• Proven ability to assess and deliver training in:
  • Orientation and mobility skills (including long cane and pre-cane techniques)
  • Independent living skills and use of low vision aids
  • Guiding techniques and route planning
• Experience prescribing specialist equipment and creating personalised rehabilitation plans.
• A commitment to continued learning and professional development.

About the Team:

The Sensory Impairment Team sits within Adult Social Care and provides essential services for residents with sight, hearing, or dual sensory loss. Our team's mission is to promote independence, reduce isolation, and support people to achieve their outcomes. You'll be supported by experienced colleagues and managers, with access to resources, ongoing training, and development opportunities.

We are based at the Queens Road Complex, in a lively area of the borough with great transport links and local amenities. It's a diverse, energetic place to work and grow.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Louise Dickens at .uk.

This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) DBS check at Enhanced level.

Benefits and more information:

In your role, we want you to feel supported, challenged and rewarded. You will benefit from our family-friendly policies including flexible working, home working, and a local government pension scheme, plus many other staff benefits. You will join a motivated, driven and supportive team that strives for excellence and values its members. You will also be part of a successful and high-achieving development team that is making a real difference to the lives of residents in the borough. For more information about the wide variety of benefits you can take advantage of please visit our Staff Benefits page.

Recruitment timetable

Advert close date: 11:59pm on 25th June 2025

Shortlisting date/s: 2nd July 2025

Interview date/s: 14th July 2025

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Attachments

• Click here to view the Job Description