What your council does: Children’s sensory needs team

About the Vision and Hearing Impairment/Deaf Education Service

The Vision and Hearing Impairment Service supports children and young people from birth to 25 years old who have sensory impairments, including those who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, deaf, or have multi-sensory impairments.

Formerly known as the Sensory Needs Team, the Vision and Hearing Impairment Service is a specialist service aiming to enable access to education and independence for children with sensory loss, through tailored support and interventions.

The service works closely with families, schools, health services, and other partners to provide expert guidance and practical support throughout the child’s educational journey.

Key services provided

• Specialist teaching and support for visually impaired and hearing impaired children in mainstream and special schools, nurseries, home settings, and colleges
• Early intervention and stimulation for babies and preschool children with sensory impairments
• Adaptation and modification of educational materials including Braille, enlarged print, and accessible formats
• Hearing support including environmental adjustments, Soundfield systems, radio aids, and British Sign Language teaching
• Mobility and independence training such as cane skills and orientation training
• Traded services for post-16 education and out-of-borough placements
• Operating a preschool group and a youth social group for children with sensory impairments
• Multi-agency collaboration including audiology, ophthalmology, therapy services, and charitable organisations
• Continuous professional development including specialist training and intervener training for staff

Eligibility and criteria

The service supports children and young people with diagnosed vision or hearing impairments that significantly affect their access to education. Referrals come from health professionals, schools, or families themselves. Support extends from early years through school age to post-16 education with traded service options for older learners.

Service impact

Currently, the service supports around 160 visually impaired and 140 hearing impaired children within Bury. Parent and professional feedback highlights the team’s hands-on approach, empowerment of children, and positive outcomes including academic achievements and increased independence.

Anecdotes include children progressing to university, engaging in sports like marathons, and gaining confidence through mobility training. The service prioritises wraparound, family-focused support to meet the individual needs of each child.

Future plans and developments

• Continued expansion and promotion of staff training, including annual intervener training courses to better support deafblind children
• Review and adaptation of service delivery models, including the future of the specialist Hearing Impairment Unit
• Development of resources and digital materials for families and professionals, maintained via accessible platforms such as team Padlets
• Strengthening partnerships across health, education, and community organisations

Fire Safety Training day

We took a group of secondary school aged children with either vision or hearing impairment to the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Training & Safety Centre in Bury, to learn more about fire safety in and around the home.

Watch more about our Fire Training Safety Day: