The Visual Impairment Team is part of Southwark’s Children’s and Adult Services.

We are a team of four Qualified Teachers of children and young people with Visual Impairments (QTVI's).
We provide specialist support to children and young people with reduced vision that cannot be corrected by wearing glasses and whose visual impairment has an impact on their education.

We support children and young people through pre-school, school, and up to employment. The support we offer includes:

• Functional Vision Assessments which help us to assess the difficulties your child may be experiencing.
• As Specialist staff we advise on specialist curriculum, including: Braille, mobility, access and IT.
• We contribute to the assessment and production of EHC Plans.
• We attend Annual Review meetings for the children we are supporting.
• We provide support to schools and parents in preparing students for the transition into primary school and onto secondary school, college and University.
• We work collaboratively with professionals who may also be involved with your child.
• We signposting you to services, voluntary and charitable, which offer support to children and families.

How can I access this service?

We accept referrals from NHS professionals and schools either through the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) system or by direct referral to the Head of Service:
Susan.KingO’Neill@southwark.gov.uk 

We use the Team Around the Child approach (TAC) to sustain a multi agency partnership.
If you have concerns about your child’s vision, either;

• contact your GP
• talk to the school’s Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who will contact us.

The service follows Southwark’s policy on confidentiality and data protection.

• We share reports with schools and professionals involved with your child.
• We have a duty to report safeguarding issues if appropriate

 

Last updated: 04 December 2023