function openModal() { document.getElementById("accessibility_sidebar").style.display = "block"; } function closeAccesibility() { document.getElementById("accessibility_sidebar").style.display = "none"; }

Vision and Hearing Impairment/Deaf Education Service (Vision)

Photograph taken by Bernard Johnson

Vision and Hearing Impairment/Deaf Education Service (Vision)

0 Reviews

The Vision and Hearing Impairment/Deaf Education Service is part of Local Authority Inclusion Services

The Vision and Hearing Impairment/Deaf Education Service aims to promote better outcomes for CYP with a Visual Impairment which include:

  • educational attainment;
  • social and emotional well being;
  • habilitation and independence skills

by providing a comprehensive and flexible system of support to CYP, families/carers and educational providers.

The Service supports children from diagnosis to age 16, or age 19 in special school. 

A Traded Service is available upon request, to schools which are Private or Out of Borough (where Service capacity allows)

Contact Details

Organiser

Joanne Hopkinson

Job Title/Position

Business Support Leader

Telephone Number

0161 253 7159

Email Address

j.hopkinson@bury.gov.uk

Location

Times & Dates

Date(s) Info

The Vision and Hearing Impairment/Deaf Education Service is a term time teaching service.

Session Information

Open Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm

Local Offer

Contact Name

Lesley Woods

Contact Email

L.A.Woods@bury.gov.uk

SEN Provision Type

specialist

Details

The Vision and Hearing Impairment/ Deaf Education Service - VISION, comprises of Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVI) and Special Support Assistants (SSA). The Service works with visually impaired babies, children and young people aged 0 - 18 and their families, to promote better outcomes for Children and Young People (CYP) with a Vision Impairment. The Service works closely with the Deaf and Hearing Impairment Team, local and regional health Professionals, Early Years Providers, Schools and Colleges, Education and Health Care Team, Social Care Teams and Portage Team. The Service supports children with a vision impairment from the point of diagnosis of a permanent visual impairment until they leave full time education. The type and level of support each child receives varies according to their individual needs, according to the National Sensory Impairment Criteria. Support may include individual or small group teaching provision of specialist equipment and modified teaching materials provision of specialist skills training - touch typing, mobility, braille and additional support during examinations and at times of transition. The majority of children with a vision impairment attend their local nursery or mainstream schools. A small number of children attend special schools. The team works in partnerships with all settings. Children with a vision impairment will be visited at home or in their educational setting by a QTVI, either in a monitoring or a direct teaching capacity, according to the National Sensory Impairment Criteria. The Service works in partnership with schools to ensure inclusion in all aspects of school life. Support may include providing information and training for mainstream staff, Mobility and independence training as necessary, Support teaching both in class and on an individual basis, contribution to the assessment and monitoring of pupils’ progress, provision and maintenance of specialist equipment, provision of advice about special arrangements for all examinations.

Age Bands

16-25 years, 11-15 years, 6-10 years, 0-5 years

Core Response Approved?

Yes

Notes

Referral Notes

If your child has a diagnosis:

  • ask your orthoptist/health visitor/educational setting to make a referral,
  • download a referral form from the documents section and make a referral. Alternatively, contact the Service to request a referral form (0161 253 7159)

If you are concerned that your child is having difficulty, but does not have a diagnosed condition, please make an appointment with the GP or optician for a free NHS eye check. This is free for all children under the age of 16 and those young people under the age of 19 who are in full time education. Once a diagnosis is confirmed a referral can be made. 

Eligibility Notes

If your child has an eye condition, diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, your child will be eligible for an assessment by the Vision Impairment Education Service.

The following do not meet criteria:

  • monocular vision where sight is within normal limits in the good eye
  • squints
  • colour deficiency
  • visual perceptual difficulties
  • if your child’s vision is fully corrected by wearing glasses

Once the assessment has been completed a level of support will be provided in line with the National Impairment Eligibility Framework.

Service Information

Suitable for ages:

0-19

Coverages:

Bury & Local Area

Target Audiences:

Secondary school/teenage (11-18), Primary school age (5-11), Pre-school (0-5)

Support Groups:

Visual impairment, Sensory Impairment

Referral Required?:

Eligibility Requirements?:

Last updated 28th June 2024

That feature is only available to logged in users.

Please login to your account or register for an account if you don't already have one.