Trainee Habilitation Specialist - Children & Young People’s Team

Trainee Habilitation Specialist – Children & Young People’s Team

Salary: £22,880 per annum (pay will increase following successful completion of the first year, and post qualification, then annually with experience in line with continual professional development up to £36,000)

The training costs leading to qualification will be met by Sight for Surrey.

Full-time: 36 hours per week

Work Mileage paid at 45p per mile.

This is a career progression opportunity leading to a qualified position as Habilitation Specialist. Membership fees of Professional Body paid.

· Do you thrive on working in a team that offer a holistic approach ensuring that children’s needs are met?

· Would you enjoy working for a local Surrey charity that has the flexibility to work imaginatively, in a variety of different ways to meet the needs of children and young people who have vision impairment or multi-sensory impairment?

· Sight for Surrey is offering an exciting opportunity to a person who is committed to making a difference to children and young people who are vision impaired or multi-sensory.

To future proof, our services we are seeking two trainee Habilitation Specialists who will work within the Children & Young People’s team while undertaking the Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight Graduate Diploma at University College London.

JOB DESCRIPTION (for first year)

1. To work closely with the Senior Habilitation Specialist and the rest of the Children & Young People’s team supporting the delivery of services.

2. To support the preparation & delivery of recreational activities for families, the 11UP group and the young adults group. Also to support and encourage participants during events.

3. To work as a member of the team building links with families.

4. To have knowledge of child developmental milestones.

5. To undertake risk assessments. Record and work to reduce identified risks.

6. To liaise and work in partnership with all Sight for Surrey teams and as appropriate other organisations.

7. To hold an up to date First Aid Certificate. (Training will be given if necessary following appointment).

8. To be responsible for assessing and addressing potential health and safety issues around the services we provide.

9. To have knowledge about all aspects of safeguarding and the legislation that protects children and young people. To take responsibility for following the SFS policies and procedures whenever there is a concern.

10. To assist with the recording and reporting required by the organisation/ service in relation to the delivery and funding of our service.

11. To work closely with other members of the CYPs team, ensuring that the different aspects of our service dovetail to meet the needs of the children, young people, and their families.

12. In addition you will have the opportunity to spend time with other teams within our organisation to grow your experience, knowledge and skills.

WORK CONTEXT

This post is a trainee post offering the appointee the opportunity to grow their skills and expertise.

The aim of Sight for Surrey Children & Young Peoples Service is to ensure that children and young people have the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Sight for Surrey Children and Young People’s service works holistically, promoting mental wellbeing, reducing isolation, and supporting self-advocacy.

As appropriate the children & young people will have opportunities to develop their skills and confidence, build an understanding of different concepts and develop an environmental awareness through experience.

Parents are supported, enabling them to meet the needs of their children.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Ability to work within agreed procedures to achieve team and personal objectives.
• To have effective time management and organisation skills
• The post requires a constructive and consultative approach to solving problems.
• To be valuing and supportive of others
• To maximise resources
• To keep financial records, receipts as appropriate
• To support the CYPs Team with the reporting responsibilities attached to the SCC contracts and other funding grants.
• First Aid qualification (SFS will arrange following appointment if necessary).
• Safeguarding training will be arranged following appointment.

Communication

• To have good communication skills and the willingness to engage with all people in a positive, accessible, and clear manner.
• To be competent in using IT, including Microsoft office
• Keep clear and concise written records and to update Database records as appropriate.
• Ensure that information about the service is accessible.
• Ensure contact details of the families we engage with are up to date.
• Work with Senior Habilitation Specialist and other members of the team to ensure relevant information is sent to families and our partners on a regular basis about opportunities, activities and news that might be of interest.
• Liaise with the organisation’s publicity department as appropriate.

Developing Others/Team Development

Share knowledge and skills with others, where possible. Contribute positively to team /organisation development.

Managing/Embracing Change

Seek ways to improve own performance. Be open to change and embracing new ways of doing things. Ability to feed back to Line Manager on impact of plans and service, managing change based on feedback, flexibly and efficiently. To have knowledge of the Safeguarding policy and procedures and to report any concerns to the line manager. Comply with our organisational policies and procedures. To be aware of other legislation that affects our duty of care.

Personal Impact

The post holder will present himself or herself effectively being mindful that they are representing Sight for Surrey. Acting with integrity and taking account of the principles of equalities. Having respect for the opinion and expertise of others.

COMPETANCIES /SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

· To have experience in working with children & young people

· Postgraduate degree or a minimum qualification equivalent to QCF Level 4 Modes.

· Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service record.

· Available to work flexibly and be available at weekend when SFS is running events and activities.

· Good interpersonal and communication skills.

· To have knowledge of the Safeguarding policy and procedures.

· Have a commitment to equalities and social inclusion, particularly the issues faced by young people, their parents, and carers.

· Be imaginative, creative, and flexible.

· Experience of vision impairment is desirable, but not essential.

· An understanding of sign language is desirable, but not essential.

· Ability to work independently while continuing to follow the team plan and contribute to Sight for Surrey’s strategy.

· Ability to work as part of a team while also being able to self-motivate.

· Effective time management and organisational skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

· Physically able to support participants taking part in activities.

· Available to work at weekends when SFS has CYPs events and activities planned.

· Ability to travel to events located throughout Surrey, and sometimes out of County.

· Ability to attend university and to the required placement which will be out of Surrey.

· Commitment to complete the Habilitation Specialist training and undertake this profession.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Various venues across Surrey, – and out of County on occasions.

Requirements.

· First degree or a minimum qualification equivalent to QCF Level 4 plus experience working with children.

· The post is dependent on successful admission onto the University City London Habilitation Specialist Course beginning autumn 2025. The successful candidate will be required to apply for a place on the course by the end of February 2025.

· Experience/ knowledge of vision impairment or sign language skills would be an advantage. The post holder will need to be flexible working 36 hours including weekends when children’s recreation activities are provided.

· Attend university undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Habilitation and Disabilities of Sight (Children and Young People) at University College London, completing assignments, placement etc. in line with the requirements of the course.

The post will begin in August 2025. The Habilitation Course is modular with time shared between university and the workplace.

The role of the Habilitation Specialist is to teach concepts that most typical children learn through sight. Supporting children & young people to develop strategies to manage life without/ with reduced vision, developing independence, mobility, and daily living skills.