Specialist Sensory Needs Practitioner

Help transform the lives of people living with sensory loss in Reading. If you’re passionate about making a real difference, this is your chance to join a forward-thinking council committed to supporting residents with hearing, vision, or dual sensory loss. As a Specialist Sensory Needs Practitioner, you’ll be at the heart of our work –shaping services, providing expert assessments and ensuring people have the tools, support, and opportunities they need to live life to the fullest.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We support hybrid working, it’s important to us that working arrangements are designed to enable our employees to excel and within this role you’ll have the opportunity to work in a way that suits your lifestyle.

About the Role:
You will offer guidance and Sensory Needs expertise to colleagues across Adult Social Care, building strong links with health, education, employment, and voluntary sector partners.

You’ll carry out sensory needs assessments, including Level 3 assessments, and develop person-centred care and support plans that promote independence, choice, and wellbeing.

You’ll act as an advocate for individuals with sensory loss, championing accessibility, inclusion, and equality, while ensuring safeguarding principles are embedded in everything you do.

You’ll support individuals to access equipment, adaptations, and community resources, and help shape service improvements through collaboration and continuous learning.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience working with people with sensory needs, in health, social care, or the voluntary sector.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and organisational skills to support education and awareness of Sensory Needs across Adult Social Care and in the community.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• A Level 3 Specialist Deafblind Assessor Qualification (or willingness to work towards it).
• A commitment to equality, inclusion, and person-centred practice.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact Shelley Abbott-Wood – Service Manager shelley.abbott-wood@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 16th November 2025
Interview Date: TBC

Visit: www.moretoreading.co.uk to find out more about Reading’s Community & Adult Social Care Services. It’s a chance to hear from the people who already work here and why they have chosen Reading as their professional destination.