The majority of children diagnosed with a visual loss are referred through to the Sensory Inclusion Service (SIS) by medical colleagues. However, if you feel that your child may have a visual impairment you should contact your doctor or arrange for an assessment with an optician. If your child has a significant visual impairment then you will normally be referred to the nearest hospital Ophthalmology department. Where a referral to the SIS is felt to be needed, Ophthalmology will refer your child to the SIS, with parental consent.
The service also accepts referrals from parents, school and other agencies. Parental consent will be obtained to request medical information confirming the presence of a diagnosed visual impairment. If this is confirmed, the Service will arrange to see the child and assess visual functioning. If further intervention is needed, visits from a Specialist Teacher for Visual Impairment will be allocated according to the NatSIP (National Sensory Impairment Partnership) Eligibility Criteria. Intervention may also be provided from Habilitation Specialists and Specialist Teaching Assistants.
Please see visual impairment page for further information: Sensory Inclusion Service - Visual Impairment | CheshireEast MarketPlace
Hearing impairment
Referrals to the service are received from Audiology. All children are screened at birth for hearing loss. If you feel that your child needs help with a hearing problem, please contact your GP first. They can ask for your child to have appropriate hearing tests at a hospital Audiology department. If Audiology make a referral to the Specialist Teacher of the Deaf, visits will be allocated according to use of the NatSIP (National Sensory Impairment Partnership) Eligibility Criteria. Intervention may also be provided from Specialist Teaching Assistants.
We also run a weekly pre-school group for children and their families.
Please see hearing impairment page for further information: Sensory Inclusion Service - Hearing Impairment
Sensory Inclusion Service Newsletters
Sensory impairment resources
Sensory impairment related websites