Who we are
We are a specialist team working with children and young people (CYP) with a vision impairment. For children aged 0-4 we work in the home or with the nursery/preschool. For older children and young people, we see them in their educational setting. The team has:
- Advisory Teachers of the Vision Impaired
- Qualified Paediatric Habilitation Specialists
- Sensory Support Service Teaching Assistant
All advisory teachers are excellent classroom practitioners who have:
- At least two years teaching experience before they join the team
- A mandatory qualification in teaching learners with vision impairment or they are working towards completing the qualification in post
- Mentors when they are new to the team
All staff complete an ongoing and varied programme of Continued Professional Development (CPD).
Criteria for Vision Support Team involvement
- The child or young person is 0-25 and has a vision impairment diagnosed by an Ophthalmologist or Orthoptist.
- If the CYP is 19 or over they have an EHCP.
- The CYP has one or more of the following:
- Visual acuities of 6/18 or less in both eyes.
- A fluctuating vision impairment such as Cerebral Vision Impairment (CVI) or nystagmus.
- A degenerative/progressive vision impairment.
- A Certificate of Vision Impairment
How we provide support
We use a standardised set of criteria from the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NATSIP) to set our levels of support. Reviews of support take place at least once per year.
The Vision Support Team provides support by:
- Running a rolling programme of Universal Training about vision impairment for all settings within Cornwall. This is bookable via Services for Schools.
- Delivering bespoke training to staff in settings.
- Carrying out functional vision assessments.
- Providing a written Needs Assessment report following an initial referral.
- Giving advice and support following the diagnosis of a vision impairment.
- Using the Developmental Journal as a framework when working with children 0-4.
- Undertaking observations to assess how learners are accessing their learning and environment.
- Providing written targeted advice, for some CYP, on how to best meet the CYPs visual access needs.
- Modelling how to best modify and adapt curriculum resources and teaching approaches.
- Undertaking specialist 1:1 teaching with identified learners. This may include the teaching of braille or assistive technology skills.
- Developing the CYP’s ability to talk about their vision impairment and access needs.
- Loaning specialist equipment for identified learners.
- Working in liaison with other professionals.
- Providing a CYP specific package of support at transition points in education.
- Providing a habilitation assessment and blocks of input for identified learners.
- Providing advice about the environment in line with the Equality Act.
- Providing statutory advice for EHC Needs Assessments and EHCP reviews.
CYP with Multi Sensory Impairment
If a CYP has both a vision impairment and deafness, they have a multisensory impairment.
Making a Request for Involvement
A request for involvement can be made using the 'Request for Involvement' form. Requests for Involvement can be made by:
- A CYPs educational setting
- A CYPs ophthalmologist or orthoptist
- Other professionals working with a CYP or their family such as a social worker or Portage.
You must include as part of the referral parent/carer consent. Medical information is always obtained for each referral.
Useful Links
About Cerebral Visual Impairment:
About Family Support:
- Royal Society for Blind Children
- iSight Cornwall
- Guide Dogs - Children and young people's service
- Victa - improving the lives of children and young people who are blind or partially sighted
- Look UK
About Producing Accessible Resources:
Compliments, Comments and Complaints
Please visit the TFF Compliments, Comments and Complaints page.
