Sensory Inclusion Service

The Sensory Inclusion Service supports children and young people with visual or hearing impairments. We work with families, schools, and professionals to offer support to children and young people.

Help for children with visual impairment

Most referrals come from Ophthalmology, but parents, schools, and professionals can request a referral for a child with a diagnosed visual impairment.

Ask about a referral

To access this service, a child or young person’s  vision must fall within certain criteria, and they must have had a recent eye test.

For more information

Mother and child look at a sensory bubble tube

We will ask for parental consent to request medical information confirming the diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is confirmed, our service will:

  • assess your child’s visual functioning
  • provide support based on NatSIP (National Sensory Impairment Partnership) eligibility criteria

If your child needs more support, a Specialist Teacher for Visual Impairment may visit. Support is allocated using the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) criteria. Your child may also get help from Habilitation Specialists and Specialist Teaching Assistants

See our visual impairment page for further information: Sensory Inclusion Service - Visual Impairment - Cheshire East Market Place.

Visual impairment support for parents

  • RNIB - National charity offering advice and resources for people with sight loss.
  • Guide dogs -Supporting blind and partially sighted people to live the life they choose. 
  • Visual Impairment Service- Local service providing specialist help for children with sight loss.

Help for children with hearing impairment

Referrals come from Audiology. All children are screened  for hearing loss at birth. If you feel that your child has a  hearing problem contact your GP first. Your GP can arrange 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.

This may include: 

  • visits from a Specialist Teacher of the Deaf
  • support from Specialist Teaching Assistants 

We run a weekly pre-school group for children and their families.

For more details see our Sensory Inclusion Service - Hearing Impairment.page.

Hearing impairment support for parents 

Sensory impairment resources for parents


Page last reviewed: 26 November 2025

Contact details

Sensory Inclusion Service
Macclesfield Town Hall
Market place
Macclesfield
SK10 1EA

Phone: 01625 374870

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