6.34 Some children and young people require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children and young people with vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support. Children and young people with an MSI have a combination of vision and hearing difficulties. Information on how to provide services for deafblind children and young people is available through the Social Care for Deafblind Children and Adults guidance published by the Department of Health (see the References section under Chapter 6 for a link).
Visual Impairment (VI)
The team for children with a Visual Impairment (VI) is part of the Advisory Teaching Service. Support is available for children and young people attending mainstream and specialist settings with a diagnosed visual impairment who are at the required stage of the graduated pathway for SEND (see criterion for requests for involvement).
6.34 Some children and young people require special educational provision because they have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children and young people with vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support. Children and young people with an MSI have a combination of vision and hearing difficulties. Information on how to provide services for deafblind children and young people is available through the Social Care for Deafblind Children and Adults guidance published by the Department of Health (see the References section under Chapter 6 for a link).
What we do:
- We provide support for children and young people from the confirmation of a visual impairment until they leave school or further education college (0-25yrs).
- We work closely with families of babies and pre-school children, helping them to understand the diagnosis, and then offering advice and support with visual skills, mobility and independence skills
- Support, advise and empower children and young people (CYP), to understand their visual impairment, communication skills to include Braille, Moon, specialist ICT skills, social skills, mobility and independence skills, listening skills and visual skills.
- We work closely with families, early years and school staff, Qualified Habilitation Specialist, Touch Typing Tutor, Specialist VI technician and medical professionals enabling us to offer tailored and targeted support and advice.
- Provide monthly early years (0-5yrs) Sensory Groups for parents/carers of children with visual impairment and their children
- Provide developmental and educational advice in relation to the CYP's visual impairment
- Support CYP with visual impairment, their families and settings, at all levels of the Gloucestershire's SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) Graduated Pathway
- Ensure the views, wishes, perspectives and experiences of the CYP are fully considered in their provision
- Support CYP to develop a positive understanding of their visual impairment and identity
- Provide, monitor and evaluate use of equipment: including equipment such as magnifiers, specialist ICT hardware and software, Braille and Moon and enlarged print materials
- We offer and provide a range of training around a CYP's needs to whole school and area based specialist courses to support continuing professional development in relation to visual impairment
- Settings can call the team during the week for no-names advice.
The team consists of:
- Qualified Teachers of Visual Impairment
- Specialist Habilitation Officer via an SLA agreement
- Touch Typing Tutor
- Specialist Resource Technician.
Who to contact
Contact Name
Stuart Gent and Suzette Kearns
Contact Position
Advisory Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Lead Advisory Teacher for the Countywide Team
Telephone
01452 324376 - Cheltenham ATS | 01452 426014 - Forest ATS | 01452 426955 - Gloucester ATS | 01452 583728 - Stroud ATS