Rehabilitation Officer - Req24881

Job title: Rehabilitation Officer, Visual Impairment
Salary: SO2   £34,833.96 - £36,648.00
Hours: 37 hours
Contract: Permanent
Location:  Based in the South of the city with a citywide remit
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.
About you
Asa Rehabilitation Officer, Visual Impairment you will bring to the role proven experience of working with people with a visual impairment, and knowledge of a range of specialist interventions to promote independence.
You will have a Honours Degree or Dip. H. E./Foundation Degree in Rehabilitation Studies (Visual Impairment) or equivalent with post qualification experience. You will be registered with the RWPN.
You will have proven experience of working with people with a visual impairment, and dual sensory loss and knowledge of a range of specialist interventions to promote independence.
About the role
You will work with people who have a visual impairment, or dual sensory impairment with the aim of improving their level of independence and wellbeing. We achieve this via daily living skills training, teaching of indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility skills, including the use of a long cane and other specialist mobility aids. Teaching communication skills, including the use of low vision and low vision equipment.
The Rehabilitation Officers, Visual Impairment visit children and their families when they are registered sight impaired, or severely sight impaired. 
We are committed to providing a strength-based approach, with a focus on a person’s strengths and talents, and how we can support them to be a part of their local community.
The Rehabilitation Officers are based in the area Disability services team and work alongside Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants.  The team is managed by an Occupational Therapist and there is a Senior Rehabilitation Officer who gives professional support.
We offer an agile working environment, with the benefits of utilising several bases across Leeds, as well as the opportunity to work from home where appropriate.  This post is based in the South of the city but the team work closely together and have a citywide remit. 
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply
Apply for this job online. Please complete the online application form

For more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Prosper Matewa Phone: 0113 3783619   Mobile: 07891274051
Email:  prosper.matewa@leeds.gov.uk 
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s and Adults' barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Leeds City Council Job Profile

Special conditions this post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

Job purpose 

Under the general direction of the Disability Team Manager and with support and supervision from the Senior Rehabilitation Officer, to work as a member of the Disability Services Team in the assessment and provision of services for people with a visual impairment. To plan, implement and review rehabilitation programmes and other services in order to promote independence and quality of life.

Responsibilities 

• Under supervision, contribute to the enhanced screening of new referrals and people already in receipt of services.
• Be responsible for undertaking specialist assessments of need for people in Leeds who are registered Severely Sight Impaired/Blind or Sight Impaired/Partially Sighted, taking account of the council’s eligibility criteria.
• Be responsible for undertaking specialist assessments of need for people who are not registered but who have a significant visual impairment which compromises their independence, safety and overall quality of life.
• To assess the needs of visually impaired adults, young people and children.
• Manage an allocated caseload of service users with a Visual Impairment and, with supervision, regularly monitor and review them to ensure an effective use of resources.
• Work to be undertaken with supervision and guidance from the Senior Rehabilitation Officer.  This may occasionally include joint working with the Senior Rehabilitation Officer on more complex casework. 
• Be responsible for keeping accurate and up to date records and case notes.
• To work within a safeguarding framework to manage risks where a service user has experienced or is likely to experience significant harm.
• To work within the National Occupational Standards for sensory services and to be responsible for promoting awareness of them.
• To offer advice, guidance, counselling and advocacy to visually impaired people and their carers in relation to visual impairment support and services and the registration process.         
• To plan, prepare, deliver and review rehabilitation packages both with individuals and groups to promote and encourage improved choice and control, self-determination and integration for visually impaired people.
• To undertake risk assessments and ensure that service users and carers are aware of any risk associated with the delivery of rehabilitation programmes and services.
• Be responsible for the teaching of communication skills including the use of low vision and low vision equipment for print audio resources and recording, Information Technology / keyboard skills, including adaptive software, Braille, Moon and Eccentric Viewing.
• To teach daily living skills including the use of colour contrast and lighting, electronic labelling devices, meal preparation / kitchen management, organisation / home management, personal care and leisure activities.                                                
• Be responsible for the teaching of indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility skills, including the use of a long cane and other specialist mobility aids, for example, electronic navigation systems. To teach low vision skills and the use of mapping and guiding techniques.                                                                                    
• To work with people with a dual sensory impairment and people who are visually impaired with additional or multiple health and mobility difficulties.
• To design and facilitate on-going training programmes with other workers to raise awareness, knowledge and understanding of visual impairment.
• To represent Adult Social Care at public awareness events related to visual impairment and to attend any relevant meetings.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local statutory, independent and voluntary organisations working with visually impaired people.
• To offer advice on specialist Visual Impairment equipment and adaptations, including electronic magnification, IT software and satellite navigation systems, appropriate lighting and colour contrast.
• To advise on other minor adaptations and arrange for its implementation.
• To engage in joint working and provide advice, guidance and consultancy to colleagues, other professionals and agencies.
• To be responsible for the supervision of student Rehabilitation Officers on placement, including the allocation and checking of work, case load and time management, and on-going support and completion of learning outcomes / portfolio.
• To support other students and trainees on placement with the Disability Services Team.
• To participate, as necessary, in training and development activities and contribute to the personal development of self and others.
• To be compliant with relevant governance, policy and procedures, both internal and external.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

It is an essential requirement of this post that applicants hold one of the following qualifications in Rehabilitation Work:

BSc (Hons) Rehabilitation Visual Impairment / Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care (Visual Impairment Rehabilitation) / Foundation Degree in Rehabilitation (Visual Impairment) / Diploma in Higher Education Rehabilitation Studies / Certificate in Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) / Dual Qualification of Technical Officer and Mobility Officer or equivalent.

Essential requirements 

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Ability to undertake specialist assessments for visually impaired people to identify needs resulting from sight loss and to make recommendations for appropriate specialist equipment and adaptations.
• Ability to design, implement and evaluate rehabilitation plans both with individuals and groups.
• Ability to adopt a care management role and engage in on-going work with a service user. 
• Ability to manage a caseload and prioritise work.
• Ability to keep accurate and up to date electronic records and case notes. 
• Ability to teach communication skills including the use of:

a) Low Vision equipment (manual and electronic)

b) Keyboard Skills / Specialist IT software

c) Braille (level 1 and 2)

d) Moon

e) Eccentric Viewing

• Ability to assess need and deliver support in complex settings to manage negative risk as well as encourage positive risk.
• Ability to teach daily living skills including the use of colour contrast and lighting, task analysis, systematic search techniques, home / kitchen management, personal care and leisure activities.
• Ability to teach orientation and mobility skills both indoors and outdoors including low vision skills, the use of mobility aids, mapping and guiding techniques.
• Ability to work with people who have a dual sensory impairment and multiple health and mobility difficulties.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals within the department and other agencies, including Occupational Therapists and Social Workers, providing advice and consultation.
• Ability to actively contribute to the development of the service, taking into account racial, cultural and religious factors. 
• Ability to exchange complex and contentious information in a sensitive way.
• Ability to supervise and mentor student Rehabilitation Officers who are on placement, including the allocation and checking of work and case load and time management.
• Ability to contribute to the placement of other students who are on placement with the Disability Services Team.
• Ability to actively participate in regular team meetings and to facilitate Continuing Professional Development meetings, including the delivery of appropriate training sessions.
• Knowledge of relevant professional qualification in Visual Impairment Rehabilitation.
• Considerable knowledge and understanding of a range of eye conditions and their effect on physical and mental functioning.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including Community Care and underlying principles, national policy and initiatives, best practice developments and performance standards.
• Awareness of related services for visually impaired people including employment services, eye clinics and the voluntary sector.
• Knowledge of specialist Visual Impairment equipment and its use including electronic magnification, satellite navigation systems and electronic labelling devices. 
• Knowledge of specialist Visual Impairment IT software.
• Knowledge and understanding of IT systems including Microsoft Office and email.
• Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate an understanding and comply with confidentiality and Information Governance.
• Awareness and knowledge of the needs of different ethnic and cultural groups.
• Previous experience of working with a range of people with a visual impairment and their carers
• Experience of assessing the needs of visually impaired people in a variety of settings.
• Experience of arranging and implementing services to meet identified needs.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics 

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• Sufficient physical ability to undertake orientation and mobility training and independent living skills

Desirable requirements 

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Knowledge of resources and recent technological developments in relation to Visual Impairment and rehabilitation.
• Knowledge of other legislation.
• Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.
• Experience of working with people who have a range of physical and mental impairments.

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