Apprentice Rehabilitation Officer - Visual Impairment

Apprentice Rehabilitation Officer – Visual Impairment (Sensory Impairment Team)

Full-Time, Fixed-Term for 2 years – Start date: August/September 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).

This is an exciting opportunity to work with people with visual impairments to maximise their independence; whilst completing the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist course in Birmingham City University.

Vision rehabilitation is crucial to ensuring that someone who is losing their sight remains as independent as possible. Vision rehabilitation is structured support, delivered by a Rehabilitation Officer, to help people adapt to their sight loss. Vision Rehabilitation Officers provide one-to-one training in daily living skills, mobility and communications, to maximise people’s independence, confidence and quality of life.

You will join the Sensory Impairment Team who work with adults who are visually impaired, hard of hearing, deaf or deafblind. The team comprises of Rehabilitation Officers, Rehabilitation and Equipment Officer, Social Workers and Customer Services Officers. We provide support, advice and rehabilitation services to Bristol citizens in line with the Care Act 2014. As a multi-professional team, we apply a strengths-based approach throughout our work. We are committed in supporting Bristol citizens to maximise their independence and achieve their goals. We also provide advice and support to other professionals and work closely with health and community partners.

In your role as an Apprentice Rehabilitation Officer, you will:

• Plan and deliver rehabilitation programmes, under the guidance of a qualified Vision Rehabilitation Officer

Undertake rehabilitation assessments in partnership with the visually impaired person

Identify, issue and demonstrate safe use of specialist equipment or provide advice on private purchase of equipment

Contribute to case discussions with colleagues and provide information and advice to other professionals and organisations

Contribute to the evaluation and improvement of services we provide in accordance with relevant legislation and policies; also, have the opportunity to undertake partnership work with community organisations

You will be expected to combine work with completing the two-year Vision Rehabilitation Specialist course at Birmingham City university. This will include in person attendance of the course, for 8 block learning weeks per year. This is in the region of 37 days each academic year. These weeks require full attendance and are spread from September to May in each year of study. The course fees will be fully funded by Bristol City Council.

Please note that the course requires students to learn to teach people with visual impairment in high-risk situations, such as crossing roads independently, working safely in the kitchen and managing home and personal care. It is a requirement that students will already be competent themselves in these daily activities and have the capacity to monitor the safety of those they are learning to teach.

For further information on the course please see

Please note that formal offer of employment will be made after you have been accepted onto the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (Adults) – FdSc course at Birmingham City University.

Please note that remote working is not available for this role.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation.

Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Apprentice Rehabilitation Officer – Visual Impairment (Sensory Impairment Team)

Full-Time, Fixed-Term for 2 years – Start date: August/September 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).

This is an exciting opportunity to work with people with visual impairments to maximise their independence; whilst completing the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist course in Birmingham City University.

Vision rehabilitation is crucial to ensuring that someone who is losing their sight remains as independent as possible. Vision rehabilitation is structured support, delivered by a Rehabilitation Officer, to help people adapt to their sight loss. Vision Rehabilitation Officers provide one-to-one training in daily living skills, mobility and communications, to maximise people’s independence, confidence and quality of life.

You will join the Sensory Impairment Team who work with adults who are visually impaired, hard of hearing, deaf or deafblind. The team comprises of Rehabilitation Officers, Rehabilitation and Equipment Officer, Social Workers and Customer Services Officers. We provide support, advice and rehabilitation services to Bristol citizens in line with the Care Act 2014. As a multi-professional team, we apply a strengths-based approach throughout our work. We are committed in supporting Bristol citizens to maximise their independence and achieve their goals. We also provide advice and support to other professionals and work closely with health and community partners.

In your role as an Apprentice Rehabilitation Officer, you will:

• Plan and deliver rehabilitation programmes, under the guidance of a qualified Vision Rehabilitation Officer

Undertake rehabilitation assessments in partnership with the visually impaired person

Identify, issue and demonstrate safe use of specialist equipment or provide advice on private purchase of equipment

Contribute to case discussions with colleagues and provide information and advice to other professionals and organisations

Contribute to the evaluation and improvement of services we provide in accordance with relevant legislation and policies; also, have the opportunity to undertake partnership work with community organisations

You will be expected to combine work with completing the two-year Vision Rehabilitation Specialist course at Birmingham City university. This will include in person attendance of the course, for 8 block learning weeks per year. This is in the region of 37 days each academic year. These weeks require full attendance and are spread from September to May in each year of study. The course fees will be fully funded by Bristol City Council.

Please note that the course requires students to learn to teach people with visual impairment in high-risk situations, such as crossing roads independently, working safely in the kitchen and managing home and personal care. It is a requirement that students will already be competent themselves in these daily activities and have the capacity to monitor the safety of those they are learning to teach.

For further information on the course please see

Please note that formal offer of employment will be made after you have been accepted onto the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (Adults) – FdSc course at Birmingham City University.

Please note that remote working is not available for this role.

Please note that this role is subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Why Bristol City Council?

At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation.

Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.

How do I apply?

If you share our and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.

To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we reserve the right to close this vacancy early. We therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible.