Habilitation Specialist/Mobility Officer
About us
Warrington Sensory Support Team are looking to appoint an outstanding practitioner who is a qualified Habilitation Specialist/Mobility Officer.
This post is a result of our team growing in response to increasing need and is a recognition of the positive impact the team has for our children and young people. Our team includes Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Visual Impairment (QTVIs), Teachers of the Deaf (QToD), a Habilitation Specialist, specialist practitioners, and a specialist VI technician.
We provide a peripatetic service across the Warrington Local Authority, working in schools, early years settings, and family homes. We are a warm and welcoming team who enjoy working together. Supporting each other in this way helps us to provide a highly regarded service for our children, young people and their families.
The role
In this role, you will work within the Sensory Service to promote inclusion and independence for children and young people with visual impairment in their home, educational, and community environments.
The main focus of the post is to support children and young people in developing their mobility, orientation, and independence skills. You will work alongside our well respected Habilitation and Mobility Officer.
You will be able to:
* Deliver specialist Habilitation (mobility and independence) services to identified VI pupils on caseload. The case load will be identified by the lead teacher of the team (QTVI).
* Support VI children, their families and settings with mobility, sight guidance, independent living skills through intervention, community based sessions, observations, following tailored programmes of support. This role will also involve devising and delivering child-centred programmes of support to meet individual needs.
* Visit parents/carers of babies and young children with visual impairment in their homes/ early years settings to support early development and transition to school.
* Visit schools to advise staff on strategies to support VI pupils’ access to the curriculum and independent learning.
* Understanding and continuing awareness of development in technology used to support children and young people with a visual impairment. Be able to support settings and parents with guidance on technologies that can support children and young people with a visual impairment.
* Keep detailed records of interventions and provide feedback for contributions to reports for statutory assessments (Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments) and Annual Reviews of CYP with EHCPs.
* Monitor and review CYP’s progress and support levels.
* Promote the wellbeing, independence, social and communication and independent living skills of VI children and young people alongside other professionals such as Habilitation Specialist / QTVI.
* Support CYP with visual impairments at transition stages.
* Liaise with relevant professionals from SEND, health and social care and other agencies as part of multi-disciplinary working.
* Attend team meetings and INSET and contribute to whole team development.
* Identify and advise the Lead Teacher and Service Manager on appropriate equipment and resources needed to enhance the independence and mobility of children and young people.
We will support you to be successful in this role in these ways:
* An extensive induction package with ongoing support to develop specialist knowledge and skills.
* A close, supportive team of VI, D/deaf Education and LA colleagues
* A hybrid working model, with excellent ICT equipment to support remote working
* A modern town centre office space, offering excellent kitchen facilities, spaces to meet colleagues and book rooms for meetings/training
* Good access links to Liverpool, Manchester and Chester, and car parking facilities opposite the office
* An experienced Business Support Team.
What's needed?
We are looking to recruit a person who is already a Qualified Habilitation Specialist (QHS/MQH), Mobility officer or trainee currently working towards qualification.
You will have experience of working with children, young people and families, and be familiar with working with schools and settings. See Person Specification for more details.
Benefits
As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:
* 26 days annual holiday - raising to 31 after 5 years of service (pro-rata)
* Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
* Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme
* Essential car allowance
Key Dates & Further Information
To arrange an informal discussion about the post please contact Claire Bennett, Lead Teacher (QTVI), Sensory Team by email: claire.bennett@warrington.gov.uk
Closing date: 19 April 2026
Interviews: 30 April 2026
Start date: as soon as possible
The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
DBS clearance is required.
Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer
Warrington Borough Council Offices, 1 Time Square, Warrington, WA1 2NT
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