Support for disabilities

Children with sensory impairments

Sensory Support Service

Who it’s for

The Sensory Support Service provides support for children and young people who live in Medway and have:

  • a hearing impairment (HI)
  • a vision impairment (VI)
  • a multi-sensory impairment (MSI).

What it does

The Sensory Support Service provides:

  • early interventions
  • support in accessing the curriculum
  • specialist assessments.

The aim of the Sensory Support Service is to help you support your child or young person with sensory impairments.

This includes providing:

  • advice and information
  • support with accessing the curriculum
  • resources and any technology they may need
  • training
  • early interventions
  • specialist assessments.

Support for parents and carers

If you have a child or young person with a sensory impairment, you can contact the service for further information and support.

Contact the service by emailing sensoryservice@medway.gov.uk.

Support for professionals

Specific observation visits or 1-1 direct interventions are available if a specific need is identified within a setting.

During an observation visit, a member of the service will visit the child or young person. This can be done at school or at home.

The Sensory Support Service also helps professionals become familiar with inclusive practices to meet individual needs.

View the Ordinarily Available SEND Provision document.

Training

The sensory support service offer training for:

  • individual sensory assessments
  • communication
  • sensory training in deaf awareness and visual impairment.

To request training information or book a session, contact sensoryservice@medway.gov.uk.

Assessments

Advisory Teachers and Specialist Support Workers will provide support and assessments. They also provide advice about access to funding and curriculum recommendations.

The Sensory Support Service works with other professionals, including:

Specialist assessments include:

  • speech discrimination
  • language assessments
  • functional listening and vision.

If your child is not in education, an assessment at home can be undertaken.

How to make a referral

You must have a diagnosis from a medical professional to be referred.

Professionals that can make these referrals include:

Professionals can make a referral by emailing sensoryservice@medway.gov.uk.

Concerned about a child or young person with a sensory impairment

If you are concerned about a child with a sensory impairment, email sensoryservice@medway.gov.uk for advice.

Resources