Sensory and physical support

We provide an assessment of needs, give advice and support to families and schools, as well as direct teaching for those experiencing most significant needs. 

Support for schools

We offer a flexible service, responding to a child's age and stage of development, any additional learning needs they experience and their educational context.

Children receive support from the service from the point of diagnosis, which is often from birth or at a very young age. Children are offered support in line with National Sensory Impairment Partnership Eligibility Framework, which offers nationally agreed protocols for assessment and support. 

Our aim is to enable educational settings to understand the impact of a child's sensory impairment, and to offer support and advice in order to maximise inclusion. We offer support and training in the use of auxiliary aids and specialist equipment. For some learners with the most significant sensory needs, we offer Enhanced Mainstream Provisions (EMP) where children have daily access to teachers and specialist support workers with skills and experience of working with sensory impaired pupils.

For the children who are educationally blind, we offer a high level of support to children, families and schools to support the development of compensatory skills. We are mindful that the challenges felt by children and young people with sensory impairment are not restricted to the classroom.

Our team comprises a mix of professionals with additional expertise in working with children with sensory impairment. All teachers will have the mandatory qualification for teachers of children with sensory impairment. Other members of staff include a specialist speech therapist, habilitation specialist, communication support worker, deaf worker and specialist support staff.

Some of our staff offer support to families, including assisting in the development of independent living skills, language and communication skills and facilitate positive social access.

Access and funding arrangements

Our service is almost entirely funded centrally with the exception of those in post 16 and independent school settings who can purchase Service Level Agreements (SLA) from our team. We ask schools to use their SEN (Special Educational Needs) funding to help with the cost of some equipment needed by children with sensory impairment. Most referrals come via health professionals at the point of identification/diagnosis.