We currently have several Trainee Orientation and Mobility Specialist vacancies advertised. Please only submit one application; this should be to your preferred location. If invited to interview, you will be given the opportunity to express interest in other locations.

As this role requires an Enhanced Disclosure check job offers will be subject to the receipt of a satisfactory check.

As a Trainee Orientation and Mobility Specialist you will contribute, as a full-time member of staff, to the services delivered by the London team whilst successfully completing all elements of the 2-year Apprenticeship Training programme in Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment).

The content of the apprenticeship will be covered through a mix of on the job, and off the job training.

On the job training will be provided by Guide Dogs as part of the job role of Trainee Orientation and Mobility Specialist. Off the job training will be covered by the Training Providers course, delivered either by Birmingham City University (BCU) or Vision Rehabilitation Training Ltd (VRT) key details of which are below.

Birmingham City University Course key dates

Application deadline date (if successful, applications must be made to BCU by this date): 21st March 2022

BCU Assessment dates: week beginning 4th April 2022 at BCU

Course dates: BCU Starting in September 2022, 2-year course.

Successful applicants will be required to apply to, and be accepted by, Birmingham City University for the Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) – FdSc course. The applications need to be submitted after a job offer has been made and accepted, and before to increase chance of gaining a place on the course. Places on the University course are limited for the September 2022 start date, and offers will be made on a first come, first served basis. Positions are not held back for Guide Dogs employees.

Note – Guide Dogs will pay the tuition fees as part of the position of Trainee Orientation and Mobility Specialist.

Please refer to the recruitment pack below for more information on the Apprenticeship and University course.

We cannot provide sponsorship for the role.

We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.

How to apply

Applications need to be made using the online application form. As part of your application ensure you provide to evidence and examples of how your skills & experience meet the criteria as set out in the attached job description.

Guide Dogs follow Safer Recruitment practices to ensure we are safeguarding the vulnerable people we work with. As part of this, we require a full work history with any gaps accounted for & a minimum of 2 professional referee details fully covering the past 5 years. If there is not enough space in your application form to provide this information, please ensure you upload additional documentation containing the additional detail.

In your application, you will need to evidence, using specific examples, how your skills and experience meet the criteria laid out in the person specification, within the Job Description below.

Requirements include:

· Meeting the qualification requirements as laid out in the person specification

· Experience of working with people who are blind and partially sighted and/or relevant experience in other care settings.

· Committed to multi-agency working and can demonstrate a strong ability to liaise effectively with other professionals/agencies.

Please note; job offers will be subject to acceptance onto the Vision Rehabilitation Training Ltd and Birmingham City University Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) Apprenticeship courses.

Diversity

Guide Dogs welcomes applications from all sections of the community and actively encourages diversity to maximise achievements, creativity and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or nationality. We encourage applications from disabled people as they are currently under-represented in the organisation and guarantee an invite to interview for all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job.

Safeguarding

Guide Dogs is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk of harm with whom we work. We expect all our employees and volunteers to fully share this commitment.