At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with vision impairment to develop essential skills for independence.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in Children's Services making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, term-time hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Empower young people and help them thrive in education and life.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 38220 - 41771 £ per year.
Salary: £38,220 progressing to £41,771 pa pro rata
Location: Based in either Hemel Hempstead or Stevenage with travel countywide
Hours: 37 hours per week, term time only (39 weeks)
Contract: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services
About The Team
The Vision Impairment Team provides specialist support to Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CYPVI), promoting access to education, supporting the development of essential skills for independence and as part of preparation for adulthood. The Vision Impairment Team work closely with families, educators, and other professionals to ensure consistent, person-centred support that enables each CYPVI to thrive both educationally and socially.
About The Role
The role of the Qualified Habilitation Specialist is to provide expert habilitation work of an excellent standard. This includes delivering tailored habilitation training – orientation, mobility, and independent living skills – across home, school, and settings.
Key Responsibilities
- Co-ordinate all aspects of the provision of habilitation (orientation, mobility and independent daily living skills) training for CYPVI.
- Assess, develop, deliver and monitor the habilitation (orientation, mobility and independent/daily living skills) needs of individual CYPVI, in agreement with the CYPVI and/or, where appropriate, Parents/Carers and others.
- Undertake environmental audits in the setting/school, as required.
- Undertake appropriate risk assessments and advise schools/education settings on specific risk management strategies e.g. for school trips/activities.
- Deliver appropriate individual habilitation training for CYPVI in a range of settings (e.g. homes, Early Years settings, schools, colleges and public places, including public transport, of relevance to the CYPVI and their needs).
- Undertake home visits and when appropriate, work in the evenings according to individual needs of CYPVI.
- Provide guidance and support to Parents/Carers, and other professionals in order to ensure habilitation training and independent/daily living skills in the school and home settings is complementary and consistent.
- Provide support in habilitation for CYPVI at times of transition to and between educational settings.
- Liaise with Parents/Carers, Teachers, support staff and other professionals within educational settings regarding the habilitation needs of CYPVI.
- Maintain detailed records of habilitation provision for CYPVI on caseload and write reports as appropriate.
- Contribute to the EHC Plan assessment process and annual EHC Plan Review, as appropriate.
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of countywide training for Staff working with CYPVI and for peer groups.
- Support multi-agency working by developing and maintaining links with other professionals involved with the education and support of CYPVI (e.g. QTVI, Rehabilitation Officers for Adults, Sensory Services).
- Work collaboratively with colleagues both within and outside SEND SAS, including the Delivering Special Provision Locally Partnerships, to promote early intervention and assessment.
- Participate in and, on occasions, organise extra-curricular activities for CYPVI as part of their habilitation training.
- Review the Aims and Objectives for the delivery of Habilitation Training, taking account of the outcomes specified in the ‘Quality Standards –Delivery of Habilitation Training (Mobility and Independent Living Skills) for Children and Young People with Visual Impairment (2nd edition – 2022)'.
- Maintain an awareness of current thinking, research and relevant developments in the area of habilitation and habilitation training, in order to improve and further develop service provision.
About You
Essential
- Strong communication skills with children, families and professionals.
- Experience of working with children and young people with SEND in an educational setting.
- Knowledge of SEND legislation and Education Health Care Plans.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and write professional reports.
- Well-organised and able to meet deadlines.
- Proficient in ICT.
- Ability to work independently and contribute as part of the wider team within the service.
- Committed to safeguarding, inclusion and continued professional development.
- Full driving licence and regular access to a vehicle, or ability to travel independently.
Desirable
- You will hold either a BSc (Hons) Habilitation Work (with CYP) or Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (with CYP) or be in the final year of working towards one of these qualifications.
- Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) relevant to vision impairment and habilitation.
- You will hold and maintain registration with Habilitation VI UK and/or RWPN.
- Experience of habilitation work with CYPVI in an organisation providing mobility and habilitation services.
- Experience of working independently in the delivery of person‑centred outcome focused habilitation training programmes.
- Experience of supporting settings and families with CYPVI.
- Experience of delivering training to children, settings and/or adults.
- Skilled in assessing needs, planning, and delivering mobility and Independent Living Skills programmes.
- Confident conducting environmental audits and risk assessments.
Mandatory Qualification
A willingness to undertake and attain the qualification – Specialist Qualification in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) Graduate Diploma.
Meet the criteria to undertake the mandatory qualification Specialist Qualification in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) Grad Dip | Prospective Students Graduate – UCL – University College London.
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving Required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).
Qualified Habilitation Specialist employer: Hertfordshire County Council
As a Qualified Habilitation Specialist with our Vision Impairment Team, you will join a dedicated group of professionals committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and continuous professional development, ensuring that you have the resources and opportunities to grow in your role while working in the vibrant communities of Hemel Hempstead or Stevenage. With a focus on person-centred support and a commitment to safeguarding, we offer a rewarding environment where your expertise can truly shine.
Contact Details:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Qualified Habilitation Specialist
✨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 Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire 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.
We think you need these skills to ace Qualified Habilitation Specialist
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 Hertfordshire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hertfordshire 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 Hertfordshire 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.
