Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Part time position 19.50 hours per week - over 3 days - Teachers Pay and Conditions

Permanent

We require a qualified teacher of the visually impaired or an experienced teacher with a willingness to train for the mandatory qualification.  The ideal candidate will have well-developed problem solving, negotiating and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.  The ideal candidate will demonstrate fairness and openness with a high degree of integrity.

If the successful candidate does not hold the mandatory qualification, they will be expected (and supported) to achieve this. This will include an expectation to become proficient in Braille and the use of access technology.

About the Service

Sefton Inclusion Service is looking to appoint an enthusiastic teacher who is qualified, or willing to train to achieve the mandatory qualification, to join the Vision Impairment Team.  The team works across the authority within the home, pre-school, school, and college settings supporting the educational, social, and emotional needs of visually impaired children and young people from 0-25.

We are seeking candidates that are committed to:

• facilitating the inclusion of children and young people who have vision needs in a range of educational settings – nursery, mainstream and special - providing advisory and / or teaching support as required.
• having high expectations of children and young people with vision needs
• improving outcomes for children and young people with vision needs from 0 -19 (25 with EHCP).
• empowering those working with children and young people with vision needs through support, advice, and training.
• providing family centred support for all children and young people on caseload.

About the Role

We would welcome applications from experienced teachers of any age group with a willingness and capacity to train for the UEB Braille qualifications.  The successful candidate should be comfortable working with technology and will be willing and able to learn to use specialist technology both to prepare learning materials and to support learning.  The post involves working for the Vision Impairment Team in nurseries, schools and colleges across the borough as well as home visits.  In return, you will learn lifelong specialist skills that make a real difference to children and young people and become part of a friendly and highly motivated team. The successful candidate will be supported through an enhanced induction and be given some directed working time to complete the Braille course, if required.

Candidates should note that successful completion of the Mandatory Qualification to become a QTVI and successful completion of the Braille course is regarded as a competency for the post.

You will be required to manage a teaching and advisory caseload across the borough.  This involves identifying and meeting the needs of visually impaired pupils to enable them to overcome potential barriers to learning and social inclusion; to make progress and be successfully included in the full range of educational settings. This includes the use of specialist IT, Braille and other bespoke approaches, incorporating these into everyday practise for pupils with vision impairment. There will be an expectation to travel independently to a variety of locations in the local authority.   

More about the role of the QTVI

There will be a short presentation on the role of the QTVI, explaining the nature of the work and the skills and attributes that contribute to the success of the team.  The presentation will be on Wednesday 30^th April, 4-5pm at the Professional Development Centre, 225 Park Lane, Formby, L37 6EW.  You do not need to book on this session, but it would be helpful for planning purposes if you could email Neil to inform him of your intention to attend.

For an informal discussion about the role, contact Neil Farmer neil.farmer@sefton.gov.uk : Tel: 07815 465594

Closing date: 8th May 2025

Interviews: 20th May 2025

Equal Opportunities

Sefton Council strives to ensure that our workforce is inclusive and representative of our communities. A diverse workforce is important to us, our staff bring with them a wide range of experiences, views, ideas, and innovations, and we are committed to providing an environment that recognises, respects, and values everybody’s identity, where individual differences are strengths and where everyone can thrive and maximise their potential. We are always open to learning and growing as an organisation, and we welcome new ideas and initiatives that promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer; all candidates will receive equal treatment. Our decision to appoint will be based upon whether an individual’s skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities make them the most suitable candidate for the role.

GUARANTEED INTERVIEW SCHEME

Please note that all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for these jobs (as given in the Person Specification) and who want to apply under the Disability Confident Scheme will be invited to interview.

If you are currently in care or have previously been in care, we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for care experienced people if you meet the essential requirements for the role.