Job Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Children & Young People Service Lead to champion the development, coordination, and delivery of impactful programs and services for blind and partially sighted children and young people within our community. This pivotal role involves leading a service, managing relationships with stakeholders, and ensuring that our initiatives foster positive growth, engagement, and well-being for young individuals. The ideal candidate will bring energy, strategic insight, and a passion for empowering youth to thrive in a supportive environment.
Job Description
Job Title Children and Young People Service Lead
Responsible to Community Services Manager
Salary £29,417 FTE (£17,889 Actual) (with annual Pay Progression to £35,125 FTE)
Hours 22.5
Location Howick House, Penwortham, with the ability to work in any of the regions we serve in Lancashire and Sefton
Budget Responsibilities: Responsible for managing and monitoring allocated service budget in line with organisational procedures.
Purpose of the Role:
To deliver high quality, person-centred support to children and young people with a visual impairment under the age of 18 and their families. The role enables access to information, guidance, and interventions that support development, independence, wellbeing, and preparation for adulthood.
Key Responsibilities
· Provide impartial information, advice, and guidance to children and young people with a visual impairment aged 5–17 and their immediate families.
· Use Galloways’ Children and Young People (CYP) assessment framework effectively, including triage, assessment, support planning, and follow-up.
· Deliver short-term interventions that help children and young people overcome challenges, develop independence, and adapt to sight loss.
· Keep service users and families informed about relevant benefits, services, and resources relating to visual impairment.
· Signpost and refer to internal and external services and specialist organisations as appropriate.
· Liaising with other professionals to help achieve developmental milestones for and aid smooth transitions.
· Work collaboratively with partners, stakeholders, and professionals to enhance service delivery.
· Contribute to the effective delivery of the service within agreed budgets, ensuring value for money and compliance with financial procedures.
· Produce reports, outcome data, and case studies demonstrating impact on beneficiaries.
· Build and maintain effective relationships with schools, colleges, healthcare professionals and other organisations supporting children and young people with a visual impairment.
· Actively follow safeguarding policies and procedures for both children and adults, identifying and reporting concerns appropriately.
Activities and tasks
· In collaboration with the Learning Skills & Lifestyle Manager, plan and deliver a programme of workshops (including technology, social, educational, and well-being) that promote independence and preparation for adulthood.
· In collaboration with the Learning Skills & Lifestyle Team, plan, organise, and facilitate inclusive peer support sessions aligned with “Living Well with Sight Loss” principles, enabling participants to share experiences, build confidence, and develop practical skills for independent living.
· Work with the Learning Skills & Lifestyle Manager and Activities Coordinator to plan and deliver one residential or large-scale annual activity for children and young people.
· Create, implement, and regularly review event and activity risk assessments.
· Plan and coordinate activity logistics, including travel and route planning, ensuring cost-effectiveness and accessibility.
· Support the recruitment, training, and supervision of volunteers involved in service delivery.
· Encourage and promote participation in workshops and activities to foster an inclusive and welcoming environment.
Community Engagement & Collaborative Working
· Actively promote the service within local communities and professional networks.
· Identify and engage local stakeholders including clinicians, opticians, education providers, and community organisations.
· Develop and maintain clear referral pathways into Galloways by working closely with health, education, social care, and voluntary sector partners.
· Encourage referrals of visually impaired children and young people into Galloways services.
· Work with the Communications and Marketing team to support the development and sharing of marketing materials, service updates, and communications.
Organisation and Administration
· Actively manage a caseload, arranging appointments and prioritising work to meet individual and service needs.
· Work towards agreed qualitative and quantitative targets, collecting data to monitor performance and outcomes.
· Maintain accurate, timely records, including case notes, monitoring data, and documentation.
· Ensure all database records are kept up to date in line with data protection requirements.
· Share good practice across the team and contribute to service improvement.
· Gather service user feedback to support evaluation and continuous improvement.
· Willingness to work some evenings, weekends and during school holidays.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
· Educated to GCSE in English grade C or above, or equivalent.
Desirable
· Universal safeguarding children training certificate
· Relevant professional qualification
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
· Experience of working directly with disabilities and or children and young people
· Experience of arranging and evaluating events and activities for children and young people
· Experience of working in partnership with families, guardians professionals
· Experience of meeting KPI’s and working to a budget
Desirable
· Experience of the charity sector or visual impairment field
· Experience of supervising volunteers
· Knowledge of child development frameworks or disability government benefits and issues (e.g. schooling/ECHP, benefits etc.)
Skills and abilities
Essential
· Excellent written and verbal communications skills and competent Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, etc)
· Ability to converse with others from different backgrounds/ethnicities
· Ability to work under pressure, manage a budget, and multi-task to ensure work is completed in an effective and efficient manner
· Ability to work in line with safeguarding children and safeguarding adults’ legislation, and recognise and report safeguarding concerns in line with safeguarding policies and procedures
Desirable
· Able to develop operational plans
Personal Qualities
Essential
· Empathetic with strong communication skills
· Approachable with a strong customer focus
· Self-motivated team player with excellent attention to detail
· Integrity and sensitivity to disability issues
· Ability to liaise with 3rd parties and work autonomously under pressure
· A positive outlook with ability to motivate others
· A passion for supporting and enhancing the lives of people with a visual impairment
Other
Essential
· Full driving license with regular access to a car (business-use insurance required) or ability to travel to reach people in the community
· Flexible approach to working hours
· Satisfactory clearance of an enhanced DBS with Children’s Barred List check
This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of blind and partially sighted children and young people through energetic leadership and strategic program management. If you are passionate about empowering youth and possess the skills outlined above, we encourage you to apply!
Pay: From £29,417.00 per year
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
