Support for children and young people with sensory impairment

The Sensory Support Team aims to support children and young people with limited vision and/or hearing (sensory impairment), their parents/carers and staff in early years settings and schools.

The team consists of specialist advisory teachers and access and inclusion workers based at the Mannamead Centre. The team works closely with other agencies.

Referrals can be made to the team directly by parents/carers, the school, the educational psychologist working with the school and by health professionals.

What does the team do

The team provides specialist support and advice regarding:

• children and young people with limited vision and/or hearing (this is often referred to as sensory impairment)
• parents/carers, playgroup, nursery, school and college staff, and other relevant professionals, with reference to the practical, educational and social implications of limited vision and/or hearing
• the assessment of functional vision/hearing and the developmental level of sensory skills
• the identification and assessment of children and young people who have significantly limited vision and/or hearing that hinders or prevents their access to the school curriculum
• staff in playgroups and nurseries as to appropriate activities for children and young people with limited vision and/or hearing
• the successful inclusion of pupils with  limited vision and/or hearing and their access to the curriculum in mainstream and special schools
• the regular monitoring of progress of children and young people limited vision and/or hearing
• transfer and transition arrangements
• liaison between parents, children, young people and schools
• parent groups
• the planning and implementation of training courses for teachers, teaching assistants and other professionals