Support Worker / Personal Assistant to a Visually Impaired Employment Specialist

Hours: Full-Time, Monday–Friday (37.5 hours per week)

Location: Office-based with frequent travel for employer engagement, client meetings and community outreach

Role Purpose

The primary purpose of this role is to provide high-quality, proactive professional support to an Employment Specialist who is visually impaired. You will act as the Specialist’s “eyes” for visual, environmental and navigation-based tasks, ensuring they can deliver the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model effectively and confidently.

This is not a care role,it is a professional support position designed to remove visual barriers related to the work environment, travel, documentation and digital systems.

Your support will allow the Specialist to focus fully on clinical integration, participant coaching, employer engagement, and securing job opportunities for individuals with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Navigation and Mobility Support

• Provide safe, confident sighted guiding to and from client meetings, employer visits, and internal team meetings.
• Support travel using public transport, including route planning, identifying platforms, and safe navigation in unfamiliar environments.
• Identify and clearly explain physical hazards, describe building layouts, entrances/exits, and room configurations.

2. Document and Digital Accessibility

• Read aloud or summarise handwritten notes, non-accessible PDFs, physical mail, and other visual materials as required.
• Support the formatting and checking of documents such as CVs, cover letters, reports, and presentations to ensure they meet professional visual standards.
• Assist with navigating internal systems, CRMs, or web portals where screen reader compatibility is limited.
• Provide clear visual quality assurance, ensuring documents are free of spacing errors, inconsistent fonts, or visual formatting issues.

3. Visual Observation & Sighted Assistance

• During participant sessions (discreetly and when appropriate), provide visual cues such as body language, facial expressions, physical presentation, or environmental factors.
• Assist in mapping employer workplaces, taking note of accessibility features, potential hazards, or environmental barriers for participants.
• Offer sighted support during employer engagement activities, meetings, and community events.

4. Administrative Support

• Scan, label, and organise documents for digital conversion and accessibility.
• Assist with time sensitive data entry into IPS Connect to Work tracking systems, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Support diary management, preparation for meetings, gathering materials, and organising travel.

Essential Skills & Qualities

• Professionalism & Discretion: Able to handle sensitive information and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Clear Communication: Strong verbal communication with the ability to describe visual information accurately and concisely.
• High Literacy Standards: Excellent proofreading skills and strong attention to detail in written and visual formatting.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working across various settings corporate offices, community spaces, employer sites, and outreach environments.
• Patience & Empathy: A supportive, respectful approach that upholds the Specialist’s independence and professional expertise.
• Reliability: Commitment to consistent Monday Friday availability to help the Specialist meet performance targets.

Desirable Skills & Qualities

• Previous experience in guiding or supporting individuals with visual impairments (training can be provided).
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 and document editing software.

Working Environment

• Combination of office based work, community outreach, and occasional home based administrative tasks.
• Role requires regular local travel.
• Training will be provided on all internal systems, IPS processes, and sighted guide techniques.

Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate excellent professional conduct at all times.
• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and organisational policies.

For more information, please contact Simone at Social Care Locums.