Home visits as necessary, ongoing support for parents/carers and training to be attended.

QTVI (Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired) liaison with Eye Hospital.

QTVI to make referral to Low Vision Aid clinic.

Opportunities will be provided for the young person and parents/carers to meet other young people with VI in the local area (e.g. Henshaws, contact: George Ferguson, Enablement Officer for children and young people: 0161 786 3650).

VI Education Team to attend all review/planning meetings.

On-going assessment, teaching, advice, support and monitoring from a QTVI, to work with the young person, their family and with school staff.

Training and written advice for staff from the VI Team, including adjustments and modifications for assessment and exam arrangements. More information can be found at RNIB.

Additional support for the young person from a Teaching Assistant in class, and around school, as indicated by assessment to:

•        Facilitate inclusive and independent learning.

•        Provide in-class support.

•        Prepare specialist/tactile resources.

•        Follow up Mobility training.

•        Ensure safety.

•        Support during unstructured times e.g. lunchtime and extra-curricular activities.

Teaching Assistant to be allocated time by the school to adapt resources, attend training and conduct individual work.

Regular planning sessions between the QTVI and Teaching Assistant.

Opportunities for tactile exploration of the environment and resources. Pre and post tutoring of activities.

Presentation of learning materials in alternative formats, including Braille, tactile diagrams, audio/speech.

Access to the specialist curriculum content e.g. Salford Sensory Enrichment Experiences (SEE).

Planning based on previous visual performance and/or prognosis of possible changes.

Inclusion to VI curriculum activities across the local area.

Advice, assessment, teaching, support and programme of work from Mobility Officer regarding mobility and independence skills; frequency based on assessed need, block of work equivalent to weekly contact. 

The report written by a QTVI in conjunction with the Mobility Officer will be shared with all stakeholders and will include information as outlined in the Universal offer.  

Whole staff training available from the Sensory Needs Team – Vision

or companies such as Positive Eye.

Training for staff on Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) and implications for learning as necessary and resources.

Day to day access to assistive technology and equipment e.g. electronic Brailler/note taker and/or laptop/iPad with speech software, audio books etc. Use of screen-sharing software screen-sharing software to present content on the whiteboard to the young person’s laptop or iPad.

Staff to facilitate a pre-Braille learning programme as advised by the QTVI.

Access to VI Service technician, as appropriate.

Positive Looking training and input.

Visual stress or Meares-Irlen syndrome can be alleviated through placing a coloured overlay over text, or by wearing glasses with tinted lenses. An individual assessment is needed to measure the precise tint required by an individual. The NHS does not offer assessment for Irlen’s syndrome of visual stress, a private review may be organised to assess. Services that offer Irlen’s screening in Bury include:

·         Greater Manchester Dyslexia Centre (01706 360060)

·         Irlen Manchester

Additional information and resources for support are available at:

Look UK (contact: Ruth Storey – ruth@look-uk.org)

Royal Society for Blind Children

SENSE (info@sense.org.uk)

VICTA

Seashell Trust (training available)