Job Title: Home Visitor & Deafblind Communicator Guide (combined role)
Responsible to: Cheshire Services Manager
Salary: £25,935.52 pro rata (£13.48 per hour)
Hours: 22.5 hours per week, including 4.5 hours of Deafblind Communicator Guide duties which are delivered on Friday mornings.
Staff Responsibility: None
Base: Home-based with travel across Conwy and Denbighshire
Requirements
Friday morning availability for Deafblind Communicator Guide duties
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Willingness to complete a fully funded Deafblind qualification in Peterborough
Why Join Vision Support
Vision Support is a long-established charity supporting people living with sight loss across North East Wales, Cheshire and Halton. As we approach our 150th anniversary, we are entering an exciting period of growth and development.
By joining Vision Support, you will be part of a dedicated team working to improve the lives of people affected by sight loss. You will play an important role in ensuring that individuals receive the right support at the right time and that our services remain accessible, responsive and safe.
Role Purpose
This is a single post comprising two complementary service functions and together they offer a varied, rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to people living with vision impairment and dual sensory needs across Conwy and Denbighshire.
One of the most significant challenges faced by people with a vision impairment is social isolation and loneliness. As a Home Visitor, you will provide much-valued companionship, practical help and information to support a better quality of life for our service users. As a Deafblind Communicator Guide, you will support a client to access appointments, activities and everyday life with confidence and dignity.
Please note: The successful candidate will be required to complete the fully funded (inc. expenses) Level 2 Communicating and Guiding with Deafblind People qualification (including a 5-day residential course in Peterborough) and commit to remaining in the role for a minimum of 12 months post-qualification.
Key Responsibilities – Home Visitor
· Visit service users in their homes and contact them by telephone to help relieve social isolation and loneliness.
· Submit short written reports following each visit or call on our in-house database (Charitylog).
· Develop an understanding of vision impairment and the issues and equipment that affect people’s daily lives.
· Identify areas where service users could benefit from a referral to other Vision Support services or external organisations.
· Develop an awareness of safeguarding issues and referral policies, and recognise and report care needs where appropriate.
· Identify social activities in the area and encourage service users to get involved.
· Assist with correspondence, such as reading and writing mail.
· Accompany service users on one-off shopping trips or medical appointments as needed.
· Support service users to understand their benefit entitlements and assist in completing relevant forms.
Key Responsibilities – Deafblind Communicator Guide
· Transport and accompany the client on shopping trips, medical appointments and other activities.
· Provide companionship and use communication methods appropriate to the client’s needs.
· There is potential for ad hoc additional hours in this element of the role.
Person Specification
Skills and Qualifications
All criteria are essential unless otherwise stated.
· Empathy, compassion and a genuine commitment to understanding of the challenges faced by people living with sight loss or dual sensory needs.
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
· Ability to perform manual hand communication (desirable).
· Own a car and hold a full UK driving licence — you will be required to travel across Conwy and Denbighshire to visit service users in a reliable and timely manner.
· Proactive, well-organised, and able to manage your own time effectively.
· Ability to work both as part of a team and on your own initiative.
· Flexible approach to workload and willingness to learn and keep up to date with best practice.
· Able to maintain a professional image of the organisation at all times.
· Understanding of vision impairment needs and services (desirable).
· Ability to write reports and keep accurate statistical records (desirable).
· Confident use of Microsoft 365 (desirable).
What We Offer
· Flexible working arrangements on request
· 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 32 days after 5 years’ service (pro rata)
· Pension scheme (if eligible)
· Access to an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 counselling
· Access to a mentor/mentee scheme
· Vision impairment awareness training
· A full induction with a chance to meet the whole team
· Regular teambuilding days and social events
· Opportunities for career development and training
· A chance to make a real difference
Additional Duties
· Contribute to Vision Support’s media channels.
· Participate in supervision, annual reviews, team meetings and appropriate training.
· Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role as requested by your line manager.
· It is not possible to detail every task within this job description. The postholder may therefore be required to undertake duties not specifically listed but consistent with the role.
General Information
The postholder must:
· Adhere to Vision Support policies and procedures
· Maintain strict confidentiality regarding service users and organisational information
· Comply with safeguarding, data protection and health & safety requirements
· Be flexible, as the role may involve duties not specifically listed
· Be willing to undertake training and development
Additional requirements:
· Travel may be required
· Contact with guide dogs may be necessary
· Subject to Enhanced DBS and satisfactory references
· Please note that Vision Support is unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Vision Support is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all sectors of the community.
Please note, Vision Support reserves the right to close this advert early if a suitable candidate is found.
Pay: £13.48 per hour
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company events
- Employee mentoring programme
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Conwy (Conwy, Conwy)
