Sensory Support Service

The Hearing Support Team is a specialist teaching service that supports children and young people with a hearing loss, from birth to 25 years.

We support children and young people at home and in their setting.

Our team includes:

• Qualified Teachers of the Deaf – teachers who are trained to provide specialist teaching and support to pupils with hearing impairment,

• specialist teaching assistants – teaching assistants with extensive knowledge and experience in supporting pupils with hearing difficulties,

• educational audiologist and audiological technicians – provide support to IT technicians in schools to set up assistive technologies, specialist software and equipment to enable pupils to access their learning,

• sign language tutor.

How we can help

• audiological assessments (hearing tests),

• provide equipment and technical support, for example radio aids,

• offer advice on communication, language and literacy skills which can be used to support your child,

• offer advice on the acoustic/ listening environment,

• complete specialist assessments and advice for Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans,

• offer advice to young people, parents and teachers on target setting, GCSEs, A Levels and vocational courses,

• liaise with health and other agencies,

• provide opportunities for deaf pupils to meet pupils and share experiences.

The Vision Support Team provides specialist teaching and support to children and young people from birth to 25 years who have an identified vision impairment.

We work with families, in schools and settings to remove barriers to pupil’s learning, social interaction and help them to develop independence.

Our team includes:

• Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with a Visual Impairment – teachers who are trained in specialist teaching and providing support to pupils with visual impairment,

• specialist teaching assistants – with extensive knowledge and experience in supporting pupils with low vision and pupils who access learning through a tactile curriculum,

• reprographics specialist – supports schools to adapt learning resources and access modified learning resources and equipment,

• IT Technicians – provides support to IT technicians in schools to set up assistive technologies, specialist software and equipment to enable pupils to access learning,

• habilitation specialists – teaches children and young people with a vision impairment to move around as safely, efficiently and independently as possible.

How we can help

• provide support for parents and families,

• help schools to identify issues early and provide the right support,

• offer advice and support to settings to develop good practice for supporting children with a visual impairment,

• provide advice to schools and settings on strategies to enhance teaching and learning, including early years and post-16,

• provide professional development and training for settings to support children and young people with a visual impairment