The service consists of specialist teachers for deaf/hearing impaired children, specialist teachers for blind/visually impaired children, specialist support assistants, technical support and an Orientation and Mobility Officer.
The team provide educational support to children and young people aged 0-25 in the full range of schools and settings (including home for preschool children).
The focus is on teaching and learning / enabling curriculum access as this in an educational service. There is a strong emphasis on capacity building for families, settings and schools to enhance their ability to meet the needs of children and young people who have a sensory impairment. Families are supported from the time of diagnosis which for Hearing Impairment can be within days of birth following neonatal screening.
There is a children's Orientation and Mobility Service provided for children with visual impairment by a qualified and expereinced Orientation and Mobility Officer this service promotes independent mobility and life skills both in school/ college and in the community.
Children who have sensory impairments are assessed by the service for a wide range of auxillary aids and equipment to enable them to access education - where these are for use in educational settings they are purchased and provided by the Sensory Impairment Support Service on a loan basis.