Part of the iSEND Service, the Vision Impairment (VI) team consists of Specialist Teachers and Specialist Assistants dedicated to fostering the educational growth and personal development of children and young people (CYP) with vision impairment (VI).

The team offers primarily an advisory service and work term time only.

What does the team do

According to need, the Team will:

• conduct assessments, offer support and provide direct instruction to visually impaired students
• offer guidance to educational staff to ensure that CYP with VI have equitable curriculum access
• work with other service providers to ensure CYP have access to mobility and independent living skills training
• collaborate with parents/carers and provide advice and guidance regarding the provision of specialised support, interventions and accommodations for CYP with VI.

Who do they support

The VI Team work with CYP from birth up to the age of 25 with or without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) who have a diagnosed vision impairment.

How does the team support the family

• Providing explanations of the eye condition and implications thereof on home and school life
• Offering advice ahead of transitions e.g. to pre-school, school, college or university
• Helping the family to contact and access other supportive agencies
• Supporting the child or young person and their family at multi-disciplinary meetings
• Assisting with access to specialist equipment as or when appropriate
• Providing access to Braille teaching as appropriate
• Encouraging the child or young person’s participation in a range of leisure and out-of-school activities

How does the team support schools and settings

• Explaining the nature of the vision impairment and the implications for education
• Providing a range of informal and formal training opportunities to share best practice
• Providing specialist advice on accessibility and health and safety issues
• Supporting teaching sessions either in class or in a one-to-one situation
• Completing environmental advice in collaboration with a Habilitation Specialist to ensure the safety and well-being of pupils and promote independence
• Advising on appropriate modification techniques to ensure equitable and inclusive access to the curriculum
• Advising on appropriate access arrangements for internal and external examinations
• Providing advice for High Needs Block Funding (HNBF) requests and/or as part of the needs assessment process for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
• Contributing to annual reviews of a CYP’s EHCP
• Advising on target setting for the CYP (at SEN Support or EHCP level)
• Providing direct teaching to Braille users and training school staff to be able to meet the needs of Braille users
• Providing advice to ensure that CYP with VI make a successful transition
• Advising on post-16 options including college courses and apprenticeships

How to refer babies, children and young people to the team

Referrals are typically received from health professionals following a formal diagnosis or from schools and settings seeking support or advice from specialist staff. Parents/carers and other professionals may also make a referral. Referrals should be sent by email to sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk and must include evidence of vision impairment.

How to get in contact

Contact the VI team:

• sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk 
• 01494 475199

Contact the iSEND support line

•  01296 382135

Buckinghamshire Integrated Sensory Service (BISS)

Buckinghamshire Council works in partnership with BucksVision to offer an integrated service to children, young people, and adults in Buckinghamshire with hearing, sight, or dual sensory loss. This service is called Buckinghamshire Integrated Sensory Service (BISS).

Services offered include:

• registration of sight loss
• support to develop daily living skills
• equipment allocation, demonstration, or advice to assist with daily living
• mobility training and support to children and young people in school to encourage safe mobilisation and participation in all activities.
• advice and information on sight loss 
• support to assist you in accessing activities within your local community
• referral or signposting to other appropriate services

Visual processing difficulties

Aimed at practitioners the Local Area Position Statement for Visual Processing Difficulties is designed to improve the consistency of approach amongst professionals and reduce uncertainty for families.