Support for Early Years

Young babies and children with significant vision loss are often referred to us by an ophthalmologist or a paediatrician. We are also happy for parents to contact us directly and medical information will then be requested. We work with all children/young people with a sensory loss and some of them also have an additional need. A vision support teacher or a teacher of multi sensory impairment will contact you and arrange to meet you and your child at home. In consultation with you we will assess how your child is using any vision they have, discuss the developmental implications of a vision loss and contribute to ways of promoting your child's development. The Developmental Journal for Children with Visual Impairment is used in partnership with parents as the basis for this work with babies and children up to 3 years old.

We are able to give you some information to help you consider what your child needs when considering nursery and school and continue to support children with a vision loss once they are at school.

We are committed to working in partnership with both you and other professionals involved with your child.

We will work with you to:

• Provide information - for example, what the diagnosis means and what support groups are available in the area.
• Assess your child's functional use of vision and areas of development that may be affected by the impairment, for example developing play and learning.
• Support you in the different ways you can communicate with your child.
• Liaise with other professionals involved with your child to ensure a co-ordinated service
• Support the transition into an Early Years setting.
• Working directly in Early Years Settings with children who have a severe vision loss
• Enable you to make informed choices.

For a small number of children who have complex health needs we will work closely with you and others to promote quality of life and ensure an understanding of their sensory needs.

How do we do this?

• By visiting you at home- the frequency of the visits will depend on your child's level of need.
• Visiting and training to Early Years settings.
• Running Early Years Family Groups.
• Working closely with other professionals who may be involved with your child, for example child minders, physiotherapist etc.
• Attending relevant meetings about your child.