(DRAFT) Join our special schools eye care team!
Children with learning disabilities are 28 times more likely to have sight problems, but 4 in 10 have never had any eye care before.
That’s why we’re bringing full clinical eye care directly into special schools to meet this vast unmet need, through our award-winning NHS Special Schools Eye Care Service - and we're looking for opticians and optometrists across London and South East England to join us in transforming the way children and young people with learning disabilities experience the world.
What is unique about working at SeeAbility?
All roles are non‑commercial, giving you a chance to practice differently. With no commercial pressure and shorter clinical days, you'll have the time and freedom to focus on what each child or young person needs, adapting your approach and using your creativity and clinical judgement to deliver truly person-centred eye care.
Term-time working and greater flexibility
The roles are term-time only, offering a flexible working pattern and a better work-life balance than many commercial roles.
Fully funded specialist training
Develop your skills with a fully funded Level 7 training module, developed in collaboration with St George's, University of London. You'll also receive ongoing support to put your learning into practice.
Specialist equipment and techniques
You'll work with cutting-edge equipment and learn specialist testing techniques adapted for children and young people with learning disabilities. You don't need any previous experience with this equipment or these techniques - we'll provide full training so you can develop the skills and confidence to use them.
Ongoing professional development
We provide regular opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD), ensuring you have all you need to maintain, update and develop your skills.
Making a difference every day
More than anything, this is your opportunity to use your expertise to completely transform the way a child or young person with disabilities sees and experiences the world.
Transform lives every single day.
Are you an optician or optometrist? Are you looking for an opportunity to use your clinical skills in a different way, with more time, flexibility and greater freedom in how you deliver eye care?
Join our rapidly expanding team and transform how children with learning disabilities across London and South East England experience the world.
Develop your skills with fully-funded Level 7 training
Every eye care clinician joining SeeAbility will receive a fully-funded Level 7, 15-point module training package, which has been developed in collaboration with City St George's, University of London - training which would usually cost over £1,000 if you sought this out yourself.
This module can count towards a Master's degree for clinicians who want to continue their postgraduate studies.
Every day will be an opportunity to expand your skills, with ongoing support included from day one, including:
- A clinical mentor assigned just to you
- Interactive training sessions co-delivered by people with lived experience of a disability
- Hands-on opportunities to shadow experienced colleagues
- Specialist training in adapted testing techniques and the use of specialist equipment
A day in the life
It can be difficult to picture what it's like to work in a special school if you haven't experienced it before.
That's why we've prepared a short film to show you what a typical day looks like as an optician or optometrist on our team.
Get a feel for the working day, see our team in action and discover what it feels like to transform lives every single day.
‘There is no more fulfilling work you could be doing in the UK eye care sector right now. As an optometrist, no other role I’ve been in has such a unique blend of challenge, variety and fulfilment. Every day is different, but every day I can see just how much I am changing lives. There’s nothing like it.’
Malvi Patel, Special Schools Eyecare Service Clinical Lead
See the impact of accessible eye care
Terence's story
For 20 years, Terence had never had a sight test. When our team began to support Terence, they quickly realised that he couldn't see any further than two inches from his face.
Watch what happens when he finally receives glasses for the first time.
Seeing the difference for Ellie
Archie’s equal right to sight
James’ story - Seeing school in a different light
Understanding Ciaran's sight
Kiyana's story - Seeing Mum and the world more clearly
