Vision Specialist Team (VST) - NNC and WNC

The Hearing and Vision Specialist Team (HVST) was formerly known as the Sensory Impairment Service (SIS).

It supports children and young people who need specialist hearing support, vision support, or both.

All schools have a special educational needs coordinator (SENCo). They can help children and young people with hearing or vision support. The HVST can offer  further specialist support if if needed.

Vision Specialist Team (VST)

The VST can provide a variety of support and assess your child or young person’s needs. They can also help plan for the future with an individualised profile.

The VST Can Support Children and Young People With:

• The teaching of specific skills in line with the Curriculum Framework for Children or Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI)
• Access to learning through specialist equipment
• Social-emotional and wellbeing needs relating to their vision impairment
• Self-advocacy skills
• Preparing for adulthood
• Peer group events
• Enrichment opportunities

The VST Can Support Parents and Carers With:

• Advice and support
• Training in the use of specialist equipment
• Family groups and enrichment opportunities
• Visual impairment educational setting

The VST Can Support Education Settings With:

• Initial advice and vision awareness training
• Assessment, identification of need, and planning for development. This will be provided by a Qualified Teacher of Children or Young People with vision impairment (QTVI)
• Input from a Habilitation Specialist as required
• IT, specialist equipment, and resources to help access learning
• Accessing arrangements and recommendations to help independent learning
• Direct support in line with the Curriculum Framework for Children or Young People with Vision Impairment
• Advice for exam access arrangements
• The best ways to make reasonable adjustments to the school’s physical environment

Eligibility Criteria for the Vision Specialist Team (VST)

Children or young people with vision loss (identified by healthcare providers). The vision loss cannot be corrected using glasses or contact lenses.

If the child or young person doesn't meet the eligibility criteria, the VST can still take a look at the case on an individual basis. It will be discussed at a panel and then you will be informed of the outcome.

Apply for Support from the Vision Specialist Team (VST)

You must include confirmation from an optician (or ophthalmologist specialist) in the referral. Any reports from ophthalmology must be attached.

The VST will contact you within two weeks of a new referral.

• Apply for support from the Vision Specialist Team (VST)