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- Tasks: Provide specialist teaching and support to children with vision impairment, collaborating with families and schools.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to transformational change and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children with special educational needs while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Teacher Status required; training for vision impairment teaching provided.
- Other info: Mobile role requiring a driving license; commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare is essential.
The predicted salary is between 47031 - 50471 £ per year.
Specialist Teacher – Children with Visual Impairment
Permanent, Full Time
Teacher Upper Pay Scale Plus Fringe and SEN Allowance
Location: Basildon
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 3rd March 2024
Please note the Teacher Upper Pay range including fringe is from £47, 031 to £50,471 per annum, in addition to SEN Allowance from £2,679 to £5,285 per annum.
Interviews will be held in Person, Ely House Basildon, 27th March 2025.
The Role
Essex County Council has embarked upon a programme of change for provision and services with the ambition to profoundly improve the outcomes and life experience of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Our vision is for a SEND system which identifies and assesses need at an earlier stage and which provides appropriate and impactful support without such high dependence on Essex County Council\’s statutory services. We have a responsibility to deliver effective services and support in the most cost effective and impactful way.
Qualified teachers of children with vision impairment will provide specialist teaching, educational advice and support to schools, settings and families around an individual caseload of children/young people with vision impairments from 0-25 years of age.
Qualified teacher status (QTS) is required, but those without QTVI status will be considered and training provided. The role requires good leadership skills with an ability to build collaborative working relationships.
To read more about our business area, please visit: Education
Accountabilities
- Provide specialist teaching, advice and support to an individual caseload of children with vision impairment, working in partnership with children, parents/carers, schools and other settings.
- Teach the vision impairment specialist additional curriculum as appropriate in partnership with other involved agencies.
- Provide direct support and teaching to babies and young children with vision impairment in the home or in small groups.
- Provide specialist functional vision assessment to inform advice to families, settings, schools, and colleges.
- Contribute to the process of Statutory Assessment by providing written advice.
- Train setting and school staff to modify teaching and learning resources in print, audio or tactile formats.
- Provide advice for access arrangements for tests and exams.
- Contribute to the professional development of the vision impairment team, policies and provision.
- Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to Qualified Teacher Status
- PGDip/MEd (Mandatory Qualification in teaching children with vision impairment) ideal, but training would be supported.
- Evidence of continuing professional development in and expert knowledge of teaching children and young people with vision impairment.
- Knowledge of the development of very young children with vision impairment and how they learn.
- Substantial experience working with children and young people with vision impairment.
- Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholders, partners and other agencies.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a way of delivering information in a clear, concise and easily understood manner.
- Evidence of delivering change within a complex organisation.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we\’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone\’s Essex . With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We\’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.
We\’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .
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Specialist Teacher - Children with Visual Impairment, Basildon employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Teacher - Children with Visual Impairment, Basildon
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the specific needs of children with visual impairments. Understanding their unique challenges and learning styles will help you demonstrate your expertise during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of special education, particularly those who work with vision impairment. This can provide you with valuable insights and potentially lead to recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in collaborative settings. Highlight any past roles where you worked with parents, schools, and other agencies to support children with special educational needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to continuous professional development. Mention any relevant training or workshops you've attended that relate to teaching children with visual impairments.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Teacher - Children with Visual Impairment, Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience and qualifications relevant to teaching children with visual impairment. Include specific examples of your work with this demographic and any relevant training or certifications.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for working with children with special educational needs. Discuss your understanding of their unique challenges and how you can contribute to improving their educational outcomes.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role, ensure that your application is clear, concise, and free of jargon. Use straightforward language to convey your ideas effectively.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Emphasize your experience working collaboratively with parents, schools, and other agencies. Provide examples of how you've successfully partnered with others to support children with vision impairments.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Show Your Passion for SEND
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Share personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as it will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Highlight your ability to work collaboratively with parents, schools, and other agencies. Prepare examples of past experiences where you successfully built partnerships to support children with vision impairments.
✨Prepare for Functional Vision Assessments
Be ready to discuss your knowledge and experience in conducting functional vision assessments. Familiarize yourself with the assessment process and be prepared to explain how you would use the results to inform teaching strategies.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial for this role, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Consider how you can convey complex information in a simple and understandable manner during the interview.
