The Vision Impairment (VI) Team forms part of the Specialist Teacher Service within the Buckinghamshire SEND Inclusion Team. Our team consists of Specialist Teachers for Vision Impairment (STVIs). All of these specialist teachers hold the mandatory qualification for teaching children and young people with vision impairment (QTVI), and a Specialist Assistant.

We work with babies, children and young people aged 0-25 who have a medically diagnosed vision impairment. This can be whether or not they have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). We also work with families, educational settings and professionals to:

• support early identification,
• support timely access to specialist advice where concerns regarding vision impairment arise.

Our role

The Vision Impairment Team

• assesses the educational impact of vision impairment on learning, development and independence
• identifies barriers to participation, inclusion and curriculum access
• provides specialist advice, recommendations and guidance
• supports schools and settings to develop effective inclusive practice
• provides training to education staff and other professionals
• works collaboratively with families and partner agencies
• advises on specialist equipment, assistive technology and accessible learning materials
• contributes specialist advice to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs), Annual Reviews and other statutory processes
• supports effective transitions throughout education and into adulthood
• promotes independence, self-advocacy and preparation for adulthood
• may provide direct specialist teaching and intervention where this is identified as an appropriate part of the child or young person's support.

Contact the Vision Impairment team

You can contact the Vision Impairment team by: 

• Email: ehcenquiries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
• Phone: 01296 382135

Who the Vision Impairment team supports

The team supports babies, children and young people aged 0 to 25 with a medically diagnosed vision impairment. Support is available whether or not a child or young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

How the Vision Impairment team supports families

The team works in partnership with families by:

• helping them understand the educational implications of their child's vision impairment
• supporting understanding of how vision impairment may affect learning, independence and everyday life
• providing advice and guidance during key transitions, including nursery, school, college and university
• providing information, advice and signposting to relevant services, organisations and sources of support
• contributing to multi-agency planning and review meetings where appropriate
• advising on specialist equipment, accessibility arrangements and support strategies
• promoting independence, self-advocacy and preparation for adulthood
• encouraging participation in community, leisure and recreational activities
• providing information, advice and referral pathways relating to Habilitation support where appropriate

How the Vision Impairment team support schools and settings

Each Buckinghamshire school has a named link Specialist Teacher for Vision Impairment (STVI). The STVI acts as a key point of contact. They provide advice, guidance and specialist support in relation to vision impairment.

Early years settings, colleges and other educational providers also have access to Specialist Teacher for Vision Impairment (STVI) support, with involvement allocated according to need and context.

The team supports schools and settings by:

• providing consultation and advice where there are questions, concerns or emerging indicators of vision impairment
• explaining the impact of vision impairment on learning, participation and independence
• advising on reasonable adjustments and inclusive practice
• supporting staff to understand and meet the needs of children and young people with vision impairment
• providing training and guidance to education staff and other professionals
• advising on environmental accessibility, risk management and health and safety considerations
• recommending strategies and adaptations to support access to the curriculum
• advising on specialist equipment, assistive technology and accessible learning materials
• advising on examination access arrangements
• contributing to Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments (EHCNAs) and Annual Reviews
• supporting the development of outcomes and provision planning
• advising on transition arrangements between educational phases and into adulthood
• supporting settings to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to meet the needs of children and young people with vision impairment
• supporting schools to access relevant information, guidance and specialist support relating to vision impairment

Role of the Specialist Teacher for Vision Impairment

The Vision Impairment Service is primarily an advisory service.

Specialist Teachers for Vision Impairment (STVIs):

• assess needs
• provide specialist advice, training and recommendations
• work collaboratively with families, educational settings and other professionals to support positive outcomes

STVIs support others to understand and meet the needs of the child or young person arising from their vision impairment.

Responsibility for delivering educational provision remains with the education provider unless otherwise specified.

STVIs do not replace the role of class teachers, SENCOs or other setting staff. Their role is to provide the specialist advice and guidance needed to enable appropriate provision, inclusion and access to learning.

How to refer a child or young person

The team accepts referrals for 

• babies, children and young people aged 0 to 25,
• with a medically diagnosed vision impairment.

Referrals may be made by:

• health professionals
• schools, colleges and educational settings
• parents and carers
• other professionals working with the child or young person

To request support from the Vision Impairment Team, please complete a Specialist Teacher Support Request Form. You will need to provide relevant medical evidence confirming the child or young person's vision impairment.

Mobility and habilitation support

Mobility and habilitation support for children and young people with vision impairment is provided through Buckinghamshire Integrated Sensory Service (BISS) by Habilitation Practitioners.

Habilitation Practitioners assess and support needs relating to mobility, orientation, independent living skills and safe participation in home, school and community environments.

Specialist Teachers for Vision Impairment (STVIs) focus on the educational impact of vision impairment. This includes access to learning and inclusion.

Both services may work alongside a child or young person, depending on their assessed needs.

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. This is to encourage safe mobility and participation in activities
• advice and information on sight loss
• support to access activities within the local community
• referral or signposting to other appropriate services

Contact the Buckinghamshire Integrated Sensory Service

You can get in touch with BISS by: 

• Email: biss@bucksvision.co.uk
• Phone: 01296 479970

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. This aims to reduce uncertainty for families.