Specialist and Outreach Teams: Visual Impairment Service

The SCVI strives to enable pupils with a vision impairment to achieve their true potential by providing the highest quality support in partnership with pupils, parents and settings.

On this page, you can find:

About the Service
Resources
Contact Details
Referral Information
Links

About the Service

The SCVI will help promote a culture where pupils with a vision impairment are included in all aspects of school life and are given equal educational opportunities to realise their highest potential.

It is essential to seek expert advice for any child thought to be suffering from a vision impairment as a specialist teacher for the visually impaired can help confirm and assess the child’s vision and provide the support and advice necessary to minimise the effect of the impairment. It is important that any that any relevant information must be made available to class teachers and should follow the child when changes of school or class are made.

The SCVI operates an ‘open referral’ system whereby any agency can request advice or support.

Services currently delivered to pupils, parents, schools and other agencies

Specialist Support Staff

Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment
Specialist Technical Support Assistants
Advice can be provided on accessibility in the light of the Equality Act (2010).
Our STSA staff produce Braille or enlarged / modified print learning resources based on individual need

Support for pupils, students and qualified teachers of visually impaired staff in the various key stages

Adaptation and / or modification of learning resources
Specialist teaching of Braille or other tactile media such as Moon
Loan service of specialist equipment
Independent living skills
Typing / keyboard skills
Visual efficiency skills
Assessment and advice on curriculum requirements
Teaching programmes related to the use of technology

Support for parents

Support for parents

Pre-school support programmes
Attendance at hospital / Portage groups
Toy library facilities

Support for teachers

Information about the visual impairment and its implications for learning across the wider curriculum
Advice on modifications in order to access the full National Curriculum
The production of adapted learning materials including Braille and other tactile resources
Staff training and development
Collaborative teaching when required
Advice and guidance on the modifications available to examination/assessment procedures

Resources

How to Create a Vision Friendly Learning Environment: Download (3.22MB - DOCX)

Spotting Visual problems: Download (153KB - PDF)

What is a Visual Impairment: Download (80KB - PDF)

Contact Details

Staff can be contacted at the SCVI team base from:

8am till 4.30pm
Monday to Friday
during school term time

When an expression of concern arises regarding visual difficulties, involved parties should contact the service on:

Phone: 07920283550

Email: Amanda.Bayley-Sunter@doncaster.gov.uk

Referral Information

Completing the form:

the referring agency should print out and complete the form
send in the post to the address listed above
due to confidentiality issues, referral forms should NOT be sent via email
schools making referrals should first obtain parental permission before requesting assistance from the SCVI
initial details will be requested regarding the pupil and the nature of the problems being experienced
the SCVI will normally offer an initial assessment at a mutually agreed date and time, which can take place at any appropriate venue
every effort will be made to ensure the pupil is familiar and comfortable with the venue
the SCVI will endeavour to respond to a new referral within 5 working days
in addition to the initial assessment, the SCVI may liaise with the relevant ophthalmological specialists (having received parental permission) and complete classroom observations in a number of subjects.
after appropriate consultation a decision will then be reached regarding any further action required.