How can I become a rehabilitation worker for people with sight loss?
Rehabilitation (rehab) workers provide essential training and advice to enable blind or partially sighted people to learn and develop the right skills to ensure they are able to get around safely and continue to do the everyday activities that are important to them. Most rehab workers are employed by a local authority social services department or a local society.
Most rehab workers are employed by a local authority social services department or a local society. You don’t necessarily need any qualifications, kindness, compassion and people skills along with coping with emotional pressure are all skills a good rehabilitation worker should have.
Qualifications showing good English and number skills such as GCSE A-C in English and maths are also helpful. You can get qualifications in social care such as a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care which has modules relating to specific areas such as visual impairment rehabilitation. Some employers also allow you to complete the qualification alongside your job, apprenticeship style
In order to join the Rehabilitation Professionals Network register of Vision rehabilitation workers you will need to have completed a clearly defined qualification which equates to Foundation Degree/BTEC Professional Diploma level. There are currently two courses available 'Rehabilitation Work (Visual Impairment) FDSC' available through Birmingham City University (BCU) or 'Rehabilitation Worker (Visual Impairment) Apprenticeship ST043' available through Vision Rehabilitation Training. Further information can be found on the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network webpage.
