Visual Impairment Advisor

Role Overview

We are seeking a Visual Impairment Advisor to join our successful and expanding team at Sight Concern Bedfordshire. In this newly created position, you will assess the needs of severely sight-impaired (blind) and sight-impaired (partially sighted) individuals within their own homes and the community. By coordinating sight support services, you will play a crucial role in improving their quality of life.

The role is part-time with flexible hours and provides good opportunities for progression and development.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct assessments to understand the unique requirements of visually impaired individuals within the community.
• Assist clients in applying for benefits to enhance their independence.
• Maintain accurate client records.
• Conduct home visits across Bedfordshire, ensuring accessibility and travel within the county.
• Collaborate with cross-sector partners to raise awareness of sight loss issues.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Ideally one to two years of recent experience in a role which provides advice work or outreach, such as advocacy, social welfare, or support services.
• Comfortable with home visits and adept at dealing with people.
• A 'can do’ attitude and a desire to grow within the organisation.
• Some home working is available, but the role is mainly outreach so you must be able to travel around Bedfordshire.

While experience in a similar role and an interest in sight loss are advantageous, we encourage applicants who align with our commitment to equal opportunities, diversity, and wellbeing. We provide comprehensive training to develop your skills.

Why Join Us:

• Make a positive impact on the community by working with a growing charity.
• Starting salary range of £23,151 to £25,500 (full-time equivalent, pro-rata for part-time hours).
• 25 days of holiday (pro-rated) plus bank holidays.
• Comprehensive wellbeing offerings.Flexible working (16-20 hours per week)
• Varied days spent working between our Bedford Office and client home/community visits.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Comprehensive training.
• Potential for progression within the organisation, with further opportunities for specialised sight loss training and/or a degree level qualification.
• Collaborate with a dedicated team committed to making a difference every day.

About Us

Sight Concern Bedfordshire is the leading local charity supporting people affected by sight loss through a wide range of tailored services and support. Founded in 1999 our purpose of "enhancing the independence and quality of life for people living with sight loss in Bedfordshire" is at the core of everything we do.

Here’s what one of our colleagues has to say about working with us:

"I am a Visual Impairment Advisor for Sight Concern Bedfordshire and I love my role as it is so varied and rewarding, I get to meet people with a Visual Impairment who may be struggling financially or in their personal lives. We can make a real difference by checking allowances and benefits for them and supporting them to make these applications. We work closely with the Eye Clinic Liaison Officer at our local hospitals, and I liaise with other local agencies and organisations to ensure our clients have the best all round support. As well as making home visits to some clients I also use our inhouse reporting systems and provide our management team with case studies to help support with reporting for our funders. Come and apply to join our dedicated team for this rewarding role." Kathy - Visual Impairment Advisor for Sight Concern Bedfordshire.

If you feel you have the enthusiasm and passion required to succeed in this exciting role, and would be interested in joining our team, we would love to hear from you!

We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that candidates may need during the recruitment process and you will be asked whether you require any during your application. We also offer reasonable adjustments on the job.

To apply, please send a covering letter, explaining your experience accompanied with clear examples as to why you feel you would be successful in the role as well as your most recent CV. Please note, full application details and screening of candidates, applying for this position, will be facilitated by HR Initiatives Ltd, on behalf of our client, as an outsourced HR partner.

We are only accepting applications from candidates who are currently eligible to work in the United Kingdom. Previous candidates need not reapply unless they can demonstrate they meet the criteria.