Sensory Impairment Advisor (Vision) internship- paid

Join us at Sight Concern Worcestershire

Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) and RNIB are collaborating with organisations from both the sight loss and wider charity sector as well as corporate organisations to create new opportunities for blind and partially sighted people to find employment through the Get Set Progress (GSP) Internship programme. Sight Concern Worcestershire is delighted to be offering an internship as part of the Get Set Progress scheme.

Sight Concern Worcestershire has a long history of supporting vision impaired people.  We are the only charity dedicated to supporting people with a sensory impairment in the county.  Our services include providing information, advice and guidance on all aspects of living with a sensory impairment through our Sensory Matters project, peer support groups, wellbeing activities and an award-winning volunteer project. We are currently developing a children and young people’s programme.  We are ambitious about meeting the needs of the people we support.

Our Values

Individual– our services are person-centred and the people we support are at the heart of everything we do

Accessible– our services are accessible and are communicated in the person’s preferred language and in the method most accessible to them

Empowering– we will support people to gain independence and confidence to make choices about their lives, making sure they have access to the information they need to do so

For the journey- we will support people at all the different stages of their sensory impairment and when new challenges appear.

What are the benefits of a Get Set Progress internship for me?

As part of your 9-month internship, you will be part of a large cohort of fellow interns and gain the following:

• Obtain valuable work experience within the charity sector
• Technology support (Including Microsoft Office) and upskilling opportunities
• Online and in-person Training and development opportunities
• Opportunity to present and network with Senior leaders within the Sight Loss Sector
• Opportunities to build relationships with fellow interns
• A personal mentor offering support, advice and guidance throughout your internship
• Help deliver positive changes for people with sight loss

As part of the GSP Internship programme, you will also be enrolled on the TPT Works For Me Employment Programme, where you will gain bespoke employment support, guidance and advice from the TPT Employment Team, some of the skills that you will receive support and guidance around include:

• CV writing
• Job searching
• Cover letter and speculative letter writing
• Application form writing
• Interview techniques

Job description

Role: Sensory Impairment Advisor

Department: Information, Advice and Guidance

Reporting to: Joanne Webber

Location: 4 days per week at The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester, WR1 1LH

Salary: Based on the Real Living Wage

Contract type: Fixed Term, 9 months Full time – 37.5 hours a week

Job Specification Information

Job purpose: Overview of the role:

We seek to provide solutions to enable people living with a vision impairment and their families and supporters to cope with and adapt to the challenges they face. Our Sensory Matters project provides a comprehensive service for people with sensory impairment to enable them to identify the support they require, access services, assist them to develop the skills to live more confidently and independently, and lead the lives they choose. Our Sensory Impairment Advisor (Vision) will support the Services Manager to ensure that the service is responsive, person-centred and professional.

The expected impact of the role is that people affected by vision impairment will have improved access to information, advice and support to enable them to make informed decisions and feel more in control of their lives. People with vision impairment will have access to aids, equipment and support services which enable them to carry out day to day tasks and engage in activities that increase their independence. People affected by vision impairment will experience improved wellbeing.

Key areas of responsibility:

• To provide initial information, advice, and guidance for people living with vision impairment, their families, and professionals who are supporting them.
• Conduct initial client needs assessment face-to-face, over the telephone, or online. Input new referrals and ongoing case notes to maintain our client relationship management (CRM) database in an accurate and timely manner.
• Provide person-centered solutions to enable individuals to overcome the emotional, psychological, and practical challenges faced through vision impairment.
• Provide short-term, focused interventions to support people with vision impairment to overcome challenges, make adaptations, and connect with services that enable them to develop and maintain independence.
• To avoid dependency by concentrating on strategies that empower the individual and give them the confidence and skills to progress to successful independent living.
• Demonstrate and sell a range of low vision aids, daily living equipment, and assistive technology solutions.
• Challenge negative attitudes, beliefs, and stereotypes.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and organizations involved with clients to ensure the best possible support is provided throughout the pathway, in particular the Sensory Impairment Team.
• Support people with vision impairment to develop links with other service providers, community groups, activities, volunteers, and befrienders, where appropriate.
• Provide content for Sight Concern Worcestershire’s communications and media, obtaining consent and facilitating the sharing of good news stories or case studies.
• Support Sight Concern events and wellbeing activities.
• Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to ensure that volunteers are effectively mentored in their work supporting clients.
• Understand and take appropriate steps to identify and manage risks, behaviours, and concerns to protect vulnerable adults and maintain their right to self-determination.

Personal specification – Essential criteria:
This post has a Genuine Occupational Requirement that the successful applicant be a person who is blind or partially sighted, in line with The Equality Act 2010

• Understanding of the issues and barriers faced by people with a visual impairment.
• Commitment to and understanding of working in a person-centred way.
• Ability to support blind and partially sighted people to identify and prioritise their personal areas of concern or challenges relating to vision impairment.
• Ability to identify and recommend potential and appropriate sources of support and resources for people living with visual impairment.
• Knowledge of and strong commitment to equality and diversity.
• Excellent communication skills with an ability to adapt to the needs of others appropriately.
• Competent IT user, including use of Microsoft Office and databases, with training or Access to Work support as appropriate.
• Ability to work within professional boundaries and to respect and adhere to the confidentiality of the role.
• Willingness to be flexible and work as part of a whole-organisation team.
• Willingness to travel to the TPT Hub in London for intern development events throughout the course of the internship programme (costs covered by TPT).
• Having not previously undertaken the Get Set Progress internship programme.
• This internship is subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check. If you wish to discuss a criminal conviction confidentially prior to applying, please contact Anne Eyre (Chief Executive Officer) on 01905 723245 or by sending an email to a.eyre@sightconcern.co.uk

What to do next

We would like to make the application process as easy and accessible as possible. Please apply via email or letter explaining why you are interested in and are suitable for this internship, any relevant experience you have (lived, work or voluntary), any qualifications you want to tell us about, how you meet the criteria in the person specification and anything else you want us to know.  We are happy to receive a CV if you want to include one, particularly if you have work or voluntary experience, but it is not compulsory.

Your email should be sent to k.wakefield@sightconcern.co.uk.  If you want to send a letter, please send it to Katy Wakefield, Sight Concern Worcestershire, The Bradbury Centre, 2 Sansome Walk, Worcester, WR1 1LH.

 Closing date: Noon on 15^th August 2024.  Interviews will be held no earlier than the week beginning 29^th August 2024.

Lived experience statement: Sight Concern Worcestershire recognises the particular and special value of lived experience of sight loss within our team. We are committed to increasing the number of blind and partially sighted people within our organisation. We remain committed to improving wider diversity amongst our staff team and across our client base.