The Multi-sensory Impairment Specialist (MSI) Team is part of the SEND service. It is dedicated to fostering the educational growth and personal development of children and young people (CYP) with a multi-sensory impairment (MSI).

MSI refers to both vision and hearing impairments. These together impact the ability to:

• access the curriculum
• communicate
• navigate the environment independently

This includes those who may not be profoundly deaf or blind, but whose combined sensory impairments cause significant difficulties.

The MSI Team offer an advisory service and works term-time only.

Who does the MSI team support

The MSI team supports:

• children and young people (CYP) from 0 to 25 years;
• with or without Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs);
• who have a clinically diagnosed need that qualifies them for support from our Hearing Support (HS) and Vision Impairment (VI) teams;
• who meet specific criteria in the NatSIP Eligibility Frameworks.

How does the MSI team support eligible CYP

Among other things, the MSI Team may:

• advocate for a CYP’s MSI needs
• identify provisions that meet the CYP’s MSI needs
• provide understanding of how a CYP will face challenges communicating with others, accessing information, and moving around their environment
• support the CYP to make progress and get the most out of life
• assist in establishing the CYP voice
• assist in creating supportive learning environments
• assist in creating opportunities for CYP to interact with others
• provide guidance and support
• collaborate with the multi-disciplinary team
• coordinate professionals from across education, health, and social care
• make referrals to, or carry out, specialist assessments
• identify each CYP's potential and barriers to learning
• work directly with CYP to help them achieve their aspirations/goals
• create individual timetables and programmes of study
• deliver multi-sensory impairment training
• offer emotional support and practical guidance to the CYP
• contribute to annual reviews of a CYP’s EHCP where appropriate
• support with transitions including post-16
• advise on appropriate equipment, materials, and resources to support access and inclusion
• identify strategies that enable independence
• report on a CYP’s levels of engagement
• make recommendations and monitor progress

How to make a referral

A CYP will qualify for MSI support if:

• they are entitled to support from both the Hearing Support (HS) team and the Vision Impairment (VI) team;
• they meet specific criteria within the NatSIP Eligibility Frameworks.

Referrals for MSI support must have a formal clinical diagnosis. They should be submitted via email to ehcenquiries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

How to contact the MSI team

You can contact the team via the following channels:

• Email: ehcenquiries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
• SEND Support Line: 01296 382135.

Buckinghamshire Integrated Sensory Service (BISS)  

Buckinghamshire Council also 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).

BISS provides several support services to CYP’s with sensory loss, including:

• Assessment and support to ensure people are safe and well.
• Enablement Services to maximise independence and wellbeing.
• Equipment assessment and provision to improve independence and wellbeing.
• Habilitation Services focusing on independent living skills for children and young people (CYP).
• Information and advice for people with sensory loss, carers, and community sector partners.
• Registration of sensory loss to access services and welfare benefits.