The Service for the Sensory Impaired (Visually impaired)

Knowsley Sensory Impairment Service (Vision Impaired) offers support for children and young people with a diagnosed vision impairment. Our role is to facilitate access and inclusion to ensure children and young people with vision impairment ( Children and Young People with Visually Impaired ) reach their full potential.

The service supports children and young people from birth to 19 years of age and may be involved with young people up to the age of 25.

Involvement from the Qualified Teacher of the Vision Impaired (QTVI), a teacher with additional mandatory qualifications, is allocated according to the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) eligibility criteria (2017 Edition)   

We work alongside a range of colleagues such as:

• NHS Ophthalmology departments
• Paediatric Habilitation Specialist
• Knowsley Early Years/Portage Team
• Knowsley Educational Psychology Service
• Knowsley SEND
• School SENDCo’s

The service can:

• support families and schools in understanding and supporting a child with vision loss.
• provide training for staff in educational settings.
• identify and address the child’s educational needs by undertaking a functional vision assessment, providing recommendations and advice.
• help develop strategies for coping with vision loss.
• contribute to the provision of an appropriate curriculum, advising on adaptation and modification of materials and classroom activities. 
• raise awareness and encourage understanding of vision loss through staff development and talks to pupils and groups.
• liaise with other agencies to facilitate the transfer of information to ensure the Children and Young People needs are addressed.
• recommend and advise upon appropriate equipment, technology and resources and help to develop confidence and independence in their use.
• provide 1:1 specialist teaching and/or support where appropriate including the use of Braille specialist equipment and the delivery of a personalised Vision Curriculum.
• contribute towards the assessment process for Education Health Care Plans and Special Educational Needs and Disability support.

Referrals:

Referrals from hospital Ophthalmology departments are made directly to the service following consent from parents. Schools can make a referral for advice if they have a concern about a child who has a diagnosed vision loss. A Sensory Impairment Service referral form must be completed providing parental/carer consent to service involvement.

Useful websites:

• Henshaws
• RNIB
• Bradbury Fields
• Guide Dogs

Contact Details:

Sensory Impairment Service
Southmead Children’s Centre
Sherwood Drive
Whiston
L35 3XZ

0151 443 2667

janet.gallagher@knowsley.gov.uk
liam.gorman@knowsley.gov.uk