Physical and sensory needs
Some children and young people require special educational provision because they have a disability or need which prevents or hinders them from making use of the educational facilities generally provided. These difficulties can be age related and may fluctuate over time. Many children and young people with a physical disability, vision impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI) or a multi-sensory impairment (MSI) will require specialist support and/or equipment to access their learning, or habilitation support.
Support in early years settings, schools and colleges for young people with a visual impairment
In Camden, there is a specialist advisory team for children and young people with sensory needs called the Sensory Team.
Camden’s Sensory Team for Children and Young People provide:
- Direct specialist teaching – in homes and educational settings
- Support for parents or carers from the child’s birth onwards, following diagnosis
- Discussions with students to ensure their views & needs are taken into account
- Guidance for families in selecting appropriate educational placements and through transition periods
- Assessment of functional vision / hearing and give specialist support
- Contribution to specialist statutory assessment procedures, and provide the provision in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
- Support to educational settings on making reasonable adjustments, teaching strategies, improve classroom conditions, along with staff training on VI / MSI awareness and equipment
- Provision and maintenance of, and instruction in use of specialist equipment
- Provide information and advice; sign post to other services and resources for deaf, vision impairment and multi-sensory impairment
The team works with CYP with sensory impairment and their families at home, local community, early year’s settings, mainstream schools, FE settings, special education settings and hospitals. We support CYP from 0 – 19yrs (to 25 if the CYP has an EHCP) who meet the NaTSIP eligibility criteria, which is based on the CYP’s level of vision / MSI and ongoing developmental needs.
Deafness and being hard of hearing
Deafness, or hard of hearing, happens when one or more parts of the ear aren’t working effectively. It can affect one ear or both ears.
Hearing levels may be described as:
- mild
- moderate
- severe
- profound
or a combination of these.
Some children and young people can hear sounds at certain frequencies and loudness. With the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants and assistive technology they are often able to hear more sounds.
Children and young people with little access to sound, often use sign language as their main communication. Find out more about language and communication.
If you are having problems with your hearing, or your child is showing signs of hearing difficulty then you should see your GP.
If you lose your hearing suddenly you must see your GP as soon as possible.
Visual impairment
Visual impairment is a term used to describe any kind of vision loss. This might be someone who cannot see at all or someone who has partial vision loss.
When a child has a visual impairment, they need immediate attention because so much learning typically occurs visually.
When vision loss goes undetected, children are delayed in developing a wide range of skills.
Children who have a visual impairment can do virtually all the activities and tasks as sighted children. However, they often need to learn to do them in a separate way or using different tools or materials.
If you require further information from Camden’s Sensory Team, please contact:
Doreen Barcy, Lead Teacher for Sensory Team 0207 974 6602