Welcome

Introduction
A Rehabilitation Worker is a professional who works alongside people with a visual impairment to help restore their independence.  This could involve anything from teaching Braille or how to use a long cane to get about, to everyday skills such as how to make a cup of tea or prepare and cook a meal safely.  Rehabilitation Workers are employed by local council Social Services departments.

Work Environment
The majority of a Rehabilitation Worker's day will be spent with one or more of their clients. This could be either at the client's home or in their local area.

Daily Activities
The work is varied and includes assessing client needs and delivering and managing any further services required such as long cane or independent living skills training.  Some Rehabilitation Workers may work as part of a team, which is responsible for a number of cases.  Each case is unique and will require a different approach.  As part of their daily activities, Rehabilitation Workers may be required to write reports and liaise with other professionals and eye specialists.

Skills & Interests
Rehabilitation Workers must be able to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds.  It is also critical that they have a positive attitude to disability and are able to deal with difficult situations.  Most Rehabilitation Workers also need a driving licence.

Entry Requirements
The entry-level professional qualification for a Rehabilitation Worker is the Diploma of Higher Education in Rehabilitation Studies.  The DipHE can be gained via a two year distance learning course through the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) School of Rehabilitation Studies, based at Birmingham City University.  Qualifications for access to the DipHE course are 3 GCSEs and 2 A-Levels, or equivalent.  Mature students may be accepted on the course without formal qualifications, depending on their life experience. However, they must be able to demonstrate their ability to study at higher education level.

Future Prospects & Opportunities
Experienced Rehabilitation Workers can become Senior Rehabilitation Workers or they can move into supervisory roles as a team leader or even a lecturer in rehabilitation studies.  Opportunities to specialise are also on offer, e.g. working with children with a visual impairment.

Further Information & Services
Care Council for Wales www.ccwales.org.uk
Community Care www.communitycare.co.uk
Department of Disability Inclusion and Special Needs, Birmingham University http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/education/departments/disability-inclusion-special-needs/index.aspx
Department of Health www.dh.gov.uk
Health & Care Professions Council www.hpc-uk.org
Homes & Communities Agency www.homesandcommunities.co.uk
Royal National Institute for the Blind www.rnib.org.uk
School of Health & Social Care, Birmingham City University www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/rehabilitation-work-visual-impairment
Skills for Care www.skillsforcare.org.uk
Social Care Association www.socialcareassociation.co.uk
Visual Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research, Birmingham University http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/education/victar/index.aspx

You may find further information about this area of work through Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or in your local library, careers office or school careers library.