At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide life-changing eye care to young people in London schools.
- Company: Join SeeAbility, a historic charity dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities since 1799.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous holiday, and a monthly bonus scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and training are fully funded.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Must have a full driving license and access to a car.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 35000 £ per year.
Special School Dispensing Optician – Mobile SEN Services
Location: Schools across the Thames Valley region.
Salary: £31,500 per annum plus SeeAbility benefits, all professional fees and travel expenses paid, and a company pension.
Hours: Full Time (37.5 hours – Monday to Friday) or Part Time (negotiable).
Contract: Permanent.
About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a full‑time or part‑time dispensing optician to work in a non‑commercial, clinically challenging setting, providing complex, creative and often life‑changing support with spectacles to young people as part of our NHS special school eye‑care service. You will have your own caseload of Thames Valley schools and work collaboratively with our established eye‑care team, the school staff teams, and under the guidance of the special schools service manager and dispensing optician clinical lead.
Responsibilities
- Work 4–5 school days (20–25 hours) in the school setting during term time; the remainder of the time from home.
- Ensure the smooth running of clinics across your defined school caseload, managing your diary under the supervision of the service manager and dispensing optician clinical lead.
- Provide spectacle dispensing, repairs, replacements and follow‑ups to your caseload.
- Support the special schools service manager in ensuring the smooth running of the service outside school days by liaising with schools, booking clinic rooms, gaining consent from parents, and arranging optometrist appointments.
- Respond to parent and school enquiries and offer teaching staff inset training on eye care and vision.
Essential Requirements
- Ability to attend multiple schools in the Thames Valley region.
- Full driving licence.
- Regular access to a car.
Benefits
- Fully paid essential training, including a 15‑point module with City, St. Georges University of London.
- Annual excellence awards.
- Long‑service awards every 5 years.
- Development discussions – opportunity to discuss your progress and future.
- Leadership development academy for career progression.
- Work‑life balance: no weekends and working from home during school holidays and outside school hours.
- 33 days holiday (pro‑rated, including bank holidays); increases to 41 days with long‑service (1 extra day for each year of service).
- Time off for life events.
- 2 weeks organisational sick pay after 6 months, increasing to 12 weeks over the first 3 years.
- Enhanced family‑friendly pay.
- Paid fertility leave.
- Carers leave available.
- £500 monthly bonus scheme for two lucky colleagues.
- Eligibility for Blue Light Card discounts.
- Discounts and cashback at hundreds of shops, restaurants and activities.
- Access to tickets for Good.
- Employer contributory pension scheme with tools to help you plan for the future.
- Refer a friend and receive £600.
- Paid DBS and renewals.
- Advance pay scheme and high interest saving scheme through Wage Stream app.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Life assurance of 2× annual salary.
- Free 24/7 employee assistance programme for advice and support.
- Free eye test.
- Discounted gym membership.
- Dedicated in‑house wellbeing coach for your team.
About Us
Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. This year we are celebrating our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!
We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs and may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person‑centred support across many supported‑living and residential care provisions. We also provide specialist eye‑care services to children and adults alike and assist people with a disability to find paid employment for the very first time.
SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible; we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.
Safeguarding and Promoting Welfare
SeeAbility is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the people we support. We expect all staff to uphold this commitment and have a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities in safeguarding.
Safer Recruitment
As part of our safer recruitment procedures, we require the following checks for all successful applicants:
- Criminal background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (where appropriate).
- Documentary evidence to confirm your identity, current address and the right to work in the UK.
- Health declaration to ensure that you are medically suitable for the role.
- References to provide satisfactory evidence of conduct in current or previous employment concerned with health or social care, or children or vulnerable adults.
Diversity
SeeAbility is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from individuals of all identities, including those from underrepresented groups and those with a disability or neuro‑divergent condition. We are pleased to confirm that we are a Disability Confident employer. We believe a diverse workforce drives innovation, creativity and success; everyone’s unique experiences and views are valued and welcomed. We are happy to offer any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process or the role itself to ensure a fair and equitable experience for all candidates.
In exceptional circumstances, the exemption from the Equality Act 2010 (Schedule 9, Part 1) which provides for the application of a genuine occupational requirement may apply.
Dispensing Optician in Leatherhead employer: SeeAbility
SeeAbility is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for Dispensing Opticians to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people across London. With a strong commitment to employee development, including fully funded professional qualifications and a supportive work culture that values work-life balance, our team enjoys generous holiday allowances, flexible working arrangements, and a range of wellbeing initiatives. Join us in a rewarding role where your expertise will contribute to life-changing support in a non-commercial, clinically challenging environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Dispensing Optician in Leatherhead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children in special schools. Understanding the unique challenges they face will help you demonstrate your commitment and suitability for the role during any discussions or interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of optometry and special education. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with others who work in similar roles, as they may provide insights or even referrals that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with managing a caseload and working collaboratively with teams. Highlighting your organisational skills and ability to communicate effectively with both school staff and parents will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your passion for making a difference in the lives of young people with complex needs. Be ready to share examples of how you've positively impacted others in your previous roles, as this aligns with our mission at SeeAbility.
We think you need these skills to ace Dispensing Optician in Leatherhead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience and skills that align with the role of a Dispensing Optician. Emphasise any previous work in educational or clinical settings, as well as your ability to manage a caseload.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for working with children and your understanding of the unique challenges they face. Mention your driving license and access to a car, as this is essential for the role.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:Clearly list your qualifications and any professional training related to dispensing optics. If you have completed any additional training or certifications, be sure to mention these as they can set you apart from other candidates.
Showcase Your Teamwork Skills:Since the role involves collaboration with school staff and an eye care team, provide examples of how you've successfully worked in a team environment. This could include experiences from previous jobs or volunteer work.
How to prepare for a job interview at SeeAbility
✨Know Your Role
Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities of a Dispensing Optician in a special school setting. Understand the importance of providing tailored support to children with complex needs and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with these requirements.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Show genuine enthusiasm for working with children and supporting those with disabilities. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in their lives, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions that may involve real-life scenarios you could face in the role. Think about how you would handle situations such as managing a busy clinic schedule or addressing concerns from parents and school staff.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
