Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome to the Sensory Support Service.

We aim to promote the achievement, inclusion, well being and quality of life of children and young people with a sensory impairment.

The Sensory Support Service has been redesigned and will now support children and young people from birth to 25 including those attending Further Education colleges. From the age of 19, the service will be supporting young people who are in education. The service will continue using the NATSIP (National Sensory Impairment Partnership) eligibility framework to support decisions around level of support, which will be provided in 3 levels as per our matrix (find it here). Children and young people will be allocated a level of support depending on their needs. This may change over time.

The new service model has been co-produced with families and other stakeholders and provides a more flexible approach to service provision including face to face and remote visits, use of technology, access to information via toolkits, helpline advice and a training offer.

Information regarding service support during COVID19

In view of current advice from the government regarding COVID 19 we are aware that many families are keeping their children at home. The current situation is unprecedented and we will review our provision regularly to ensure we are following government advice on dealing with COVID19. The Sensory Support Service is keen to continue providing support for families, children and young people and settings but will do this remotely.

Anyone can contact us for advice and support preferably via email:

But if it is not possible to email you can ring on: 0117 9038441 / 2 / 3

Children and Young People (CYP) with an EHCP and weekly support from the Sensory Support Service (SSS) will continue being supported remotely either at home or at an educational setting. Children with a high level of need in the early years will also be supported remotely whether they have an EHCP or not. We will liaise with you individually about how best to support you. Educational settings that are open will be able to access some support remotely depending on their needs.

We will liaise with families and/or educational settings of CYP with EHCPs who do not receive weekly support from the service to provide advice, training and/or transition support remotely. We will also continue contributing to annual reviews and Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments and new referrals.

We will be following government and LA guidance and our aim is to ensure the safety of everyone whilst being committed to providing support and advice to families, settings and children and young people themselves as much as we can.

These are really difficult times and we wish you all the best

 

We are specialist teachers and other professionals who have the knowledge and experience in working with children and young people with sensory impairment. Our teachers hold mandatory qualifications in the field and all staff are up to date with new developments and technologies.

Sensory impairment includes vision, hearing or multi sensory impairment and is a low incidence disability. Our aim is that children and young people have the best opportunities in life to thrive, succeed, reach their aspirations and have the best possible quality of life.

Our vision statement is: Learning, growing and succeeding together.

We strongly believe this is something we do together and we work closely with you and other professionals to meet your child’s needs, develop their enjoyment for learning, aim high and achieve.

Joao Roe
(Head of Service)

 

See the following documents: