At a Glance
- Tasks: Support deafblind children in education and social settings, helping them achieve personal goals.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and wellbeing services.
- Other info: Driving licence required; diverse and inclusive workplace committed to equality.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a willingness to learn British Sign Language.
This is a countywide service, and will involve travel.
The Multi‑Sensory Impairment Service is seeking a flexible and enthusiastic individual with a passion for working with children. We work directly with children and young people who are registered Deafblind and assessed as requiring specialist one‑to‑one support.
Support areas
- Orientation and mobility
- Communication
- Learning and development
- Complex healthcare
We are looking to recruit to our team to provide support for deafblind children and young people both in their education setting and in a social capacity, supporting them to access a wide range of activities. The role includes supporting our children and young people in all aspects of daily living. Many of our children and young people have additional needs beyond their deafblind status, and a caring nature, respecting their privacy and dignity while delivering personal care and supporting with medication is essential.
About you
We are always interested in people who have current relevant qualifications such as British Sign Language or experience with communication techniques. We will support your ongoing development within the role, providing comprehensive training with a child‑centred approach. You will support children to reach agreed personal goals and outcomes through engaging them to make choices and decisions.
- You have experience of working with children
- You may have experience of working in an education or care setting
- You have a can‑do approach
- You can engage and build positive relationships with children and young people
- You will contribute to a team ethos
- You should have a willingness to work towards additional qualifications such as British Sign Language
- Driving experience with a valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential
Additional information
The salary range for this role is £26,824 to £28,598 per annum (subject to 2026‑27 NJC pay review – pending). Attracting enhanced pay rates for weekend working: hourly rate £20.85 rising to £22.23 for Saturdays and £27.80 rising to £29.64 for Sundays and bank holidays.
Benefits
- We promote a healthy work‑life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible.
- Generous annual leave allowance.
- Employee Assistance and a variety of employee wellbeing services.
- Auto enrolment onto our Devon County Council Pension Scheme and optional pension enhancement through our Additional Voluntary Contribution scheme.
- A Flexible Benefits Scheme via salary sacrifice to obtain benefits such as cycle for work and health screenings.
DBS information
This post requires a criminal background check via the Disclosure procedure.
We do not sponsor visas for this post. UK Right to Work is required.
DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Multi-Sensory Worker in Exeter employer: Devon County Council
Devon County Council is an excellent employer for those looking to kickstart their teaching career in North Devon. With a strong commitment to employee development, the role of Cover Supervisor offers valuable training opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact on students' lives in a supportive and engaging work culture. Enjoy the benefits of working in a community-focused environment that values education and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Multi-Sensory Worker in Exeter
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Devon County Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Devon County Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Devon County Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Devon County Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Devon County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Devon County Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Devon County Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
