Special schools eye care service manager, Primary Eyecare Services

Job title

Special schools eye care service manager, Primary Eyecare Services

Job description

Role at a glance
Role type: Service coordination, not a clinical decision-making role.
Professional focus: GOC registered dispensing optician with paediatric dispensing experience.
Service model: Integrator model, with direct care provided through provider partners.
Working pattern: Full-time role, with part-time applications, job-share arrangements.
Location: UK-based remote or hybrid working, with travel to schools, provider locations and stakeholder meetings as required.
Package: £35k and benefits package available.

Why this role matters
The Special Schools Eye Care Service Manager will support the mobilisation and day-to-day operational delivery of the service across participating schools. The postholder will work closely with the Head of Special Schools Eye Care, Clinical Directors, the Special Schools Clinical Lead, operational colleagues, schools, providers, parents and carers.

The role is focused on ensuring that school readiness, provider onboarding, clinic coordination, safeguarding administration, system discipline, reporting and operational consistency are managed effectively across the service.

Why a GOC registered dispensing optician is well placed for this role
GOC registered dispensing opticians bring specialist expertise that is particularly relevant to children and young people in special school settings. This includes practical knowledge of paediatric dispensing, frame selection and fitting, spectacle adaptation and adjustment, and supporting children with additional needs to tolerate, accept and wear spectacles successfully.

This expertise will help ensure that the spectacles and optical appliance pathway is practical, child-centred and workable for providers, schools and families, while supporting positive visual outcomes for children and young people.

Key areas of contribution
• Supporting school engagement, onboarding and readiness across participating special schools
• Coordinating provider readiness, operational requirements, documentation and use of agreed systems and processes
• Supporting clinic coordination, delivery-day logistics, consent routes, equipment planning and escalation of issues
• Overseeing the non-clinical spectacles and optical appliance pathway, including order tracking, fitting and collection arrangements, repairs and replacements coordination, and issue resolution
• Supporting safeguarding administration, Information Governance discipline, audit trails and operational reporting
• Contributing to dispensing guidance, training materials, standard operating procedures and practical service improvement

Experience that would be particularly valuable
• Current General Optical Council registration as a dispensing optician
• Paediatric dispensing experience, ideally including children with additional needs or complex requirements
• Experience of providing, coordinating or supporting care in domiciliary, community, outreach or similar non practice-based settings.
• Experience working with providers, schools, SEND services, families, vulnerable children and young people, or multi-agency partners
• Strong organisational, communication and digital record-keeping skills, with the confidence to escalate issues appropriately

Applications
Applications should include an up-to-date CV and covering letter outlining the candidate’s relevant experience, motivation for applying and suitability for the role.

Applications should be submitted by 31 May 2026 by email to recruitment@primaryeyecare.co.uk

Salary

£35k and benefits package available

Closing date for applications

31 May 2026