Vision Rehabilitation Specialist

About The Role

Working Hours:   35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type:  Permanent 
Working Style: Hybrid - Employees split their time between working remotely (e.g., from home) and working on-site (e.g., in an office). 
Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance
Closing Date: 11.59pm, 6 August 2026
Interview Method: Face to Face

This Role is Subject To: 

Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Legal right to Work: In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. 

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

Qualification - Level 5 VRS apprenticeship standard DipHE in Rehabilitative Studies or equivalent (essential) and registration with RWNP

Essential Car Documentation - This post is a designated Essential Car User. Therefore, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work. You will receive the Essential Car User Allowance. 

Medical Clearance - Pre-placement health assessment (PPHA)  

DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here . We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request. 

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Why this role is exciting and impactful

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of Manchester residents living with visual impairment. As part of Manchester City Council’s Sensory Team, you will play a key role in supporting individuals to maintain independence, build confidence, and achieve positive outcomes that matter to them.

Working within the Care Act 2014 and the Our Manchester approach, this role places you at the heart of a strengths-based, person-centred service. You will work directly with citizens and their families to understand their unique needs, aspirations, and challenges, delivering tailored rehabilitation and support that promotes dignity, choice, and control.

The impact of this role is far-reaching. You will not only support individuals to develop essential daily living, mobility, and communication skills, but also help them reconnect with their communities, reduce isolation, and improve overall wellbeing. By working collaboratively with colleagues across social care, health services, and partner organisations, you will contribute to holistic and sustainable support plans that make a lasting difference.

This role is also central to driving service quality and development. Through effective risk management, safeguarding practice, and multi-agency working, you will help ensure the delivery of safe, responsive, and high-quality services across Manchester. In addition, your involvement in mentoring students, supporting colleagues, and contributing to service improvement initiatives will help shape the future of the Sensory Team.

Ultimately, this role is key to delivering Manchester City Council’s commitment to inclusive services—ensuring that people with visual impairment are empowered to live independently, participate fully in their communities, and achieve their goals.

Informal discussion

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Stephen Nicholas, at
[email protected] to arrange a convenient time to talk further.

About the Candidate

About You

We are looking for a passionate, motivated, and creative individual who wants to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of people living with sight loss across Manchester.

This is more than just a role, it is an opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking Sensory Team that is committed to leading the development of high-quality Vision Rehabilitation support and training, helping citizens live independently, confidently and with dignity.

You will bring energy, compassion and a genuine commitment to supporting individuals and their families to adapt to sight loss and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them. You’ll be someone who is hardworking, proactive and thrives in a role where no two days are the same.

We are looking for someone who is not afraid to think differently, someone who can use creativity and innovation to develop tailored solutions, particularly where traditional approaches may not meet the needs of the individual. You will play an active role in shaping and improving how we deliver services, helping to drive forward best practice in vision rehabilitation across Manchester.

Working as part of a supportive and collaborative team, you will build strong relationships with colleagues, partners and communities, sharing knowledge and contributing to a culture of learning, development and continuous improvement.

Above all, you will be someone who shares our values, passionate about inclusion, committed to equality, and driven to ensure that people with visual impairment have the same opportunities to live full, independent and meaningful lives.

About Us

We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn’t just a job – it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city – a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

• We take time to listen and understand
• We work together and trust each other
• We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
• We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
• We’re proud and passionate about Manchester

Benefits we offer

• Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks during our annual leave purchase period.
• A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
• Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
• Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
• Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process. 
• A Good Employment Charter member - W e are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
• Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits. 

Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council 

At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

• Interview Adjustments : Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
• Accessible Formats : Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page . This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.

Guaranteed Assessment Scheme 

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirement s for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below :

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care.
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term condition
• Have you completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme or any MCC positive action programmes?

When You Join Us 

We’re a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

• A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
• Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
• A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly .

For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected] .

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship. 

Pre-Employment Checks 

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for, see the top of the advert for details.

These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve. 

Other relevant information 

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role. 

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

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