Job Introduction
Job Title: Access Specialists
Starting Salary: £25,583 progressing to £28,142 pa pro rata (Actual approx. £21,882 progressing to £24,071 pa - pro rata for part time)
Hours: 30 or 37 hours, Term Time Only (39 weeks)
Location: Apsley - with travel countywide
Contract Type: Permanent
Directorate: Childrens Services
About the team
We are actively recruiting for 2 Access Specialists within the Vision Impairment Team. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Vision Impairment Team to support schools with modification of curriculum resources and activities for children and young people who will access their literacy through Braille/tactile diagrams alongside specialist technology plus supporting in the classroom.
About the role
You will work across Hertfordshire under the guidance of the Lead Access Specialists Qualified Teachers of Vision Impairment (QTVI). You will work with children and young people with vision impairment within schools or early years settings, providing direct classroom support, preparing teaching and learning materials and modelling best practice. You will help Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CYPVI) develop their Braille and specialist ICT skills.
Key responsibilities:
- Produce resources in line with the National Curriculum in an accessible format for individual children and young people with vision impairment, Braille, audio, concrete materials and 3D models.
- Mentor and train school-based staff responsible for meeting the needs of the CYPVI in modification of learning materials/experiences and the production of specialist resources.
- Support the training of staff and pupils in the use of specialist equipment.
- Work directly with CYPV Ito support the development of their Braille skills and deliver specialist programmes devised by QTVI.
- Contribute to the planning, monitoring, and recording of pupil progress.
- Liaise with school staff and other professionals within educational settings regarding learning materials for the child or young person with vision impairment.
- Undertake mandatory HCC and relevant specialist in-service training.
Maintain awareness of current thinking and relevant developments, in order to improve and further develop service delivery.
About you
Essential requirements for this role:
- Experience of successfully supporting children or young people in a learning situation.
- A willingness to undertake further training to learn Braille, and to pass the RNIB Certificate in Contracted Braille (UEB) course and exam. In addition to this, you will be required to undertake the VIEW Partners in Learning – Advanced Certificate required for education support staff working with Vision Impaired students. You will have two years to successfully complete both courses.
- GCSE or Vocational equivalent - strong numeracy and literacy.
- Good ICT skills.
- Well-organised and able to meet deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and contribute as part of the wider team within the service.
- Committed to safeguarding, inclusion and continued professional development.
- Full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable:
- A working knowledge of Braille.
- Experience of working with a child or young person with a vision impairment.
This role offers an exceptional opportunity to develop a wide range of new skills while working across Hertfordshire as part of the Vision Impairment Team. You will play a meaningful part in supporting children and young people with vision impairment, helping them access learning and empowering them to reach their fullest potential.
In return, you will benefit from a supportive management team, ongoing professional development, and a comprehensive range of competitive employee benefits.
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Jeanie.Eales@hertfordshire.gov.uk and julie.budden@hertfordshire.gov.uk for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview date: Wednesday 29th April 2026 and Wednesday 6th May 2026
This job role is within the Community Services level 6 job profile. Please locate this via:
Job profiles - Community services
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional information
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.