Vision Impairment team
Support for children with a Vision Impairment
- The team of Specialist Teachers and Specialist Support Assistants work with Children and Young People 0 to 25 years with or without Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in homes, mainstream schools (maintained and academies), some non-maintained nurseries, some specialist provision and in some colleges.
Who the service provides for
- The team support children, young people and their families.
- Support is provided for children who have been diagnosed with a vision impairment.
How the service is accessed
- Referrals are from ophthalmology departments or from relevant medical professionals following the diagnosis.
Support may include
- Support with parents / carers / settings / schools to help them understand the implications of a vision impairment
- Help to develop a child’s auditory and tactile skills
- Help to explain medical information and liaise with ophthalmology
- Monitor and record progress with written reports as necessary
- Contribute to annual review, review meetings and multi-professional meetings
- Loan of specialist equipment as appropriate
- Provide training and advice on maintenance and management of specialist equipment
- Input into SEN support plans
- Carry out site assessments to advise on safe access
- Work with the child/young person as appropriate
- Support to promote mobility and independence
- Liaise with other professional services and agencies
- Advice and support at setting/school transfer
- Advice on classroom management strategies
- Support to ensure access to the curriculum
- Observe in the classroom to support and inform inclusive practice
- Work closely with the class teachers to assess children's educational needs