The information on this page is aimed at professionals. If you are a parent and want information on what we do please see our:
What we do
We work collaboratively with schools to provide effective support for children with hearing loss and/or visual impairments to ensure that they can access the curriculum and achieve the best outcomes possible
Our support teachers provide support according to the individual needs of each child including:
- Direct teaching support as required
- Regular liaison with the SENCO and class teacher about the implications for access to the curriculum and advising on strategies and differentiation
- Regular liaison with allocated school support staff and providing ongoing training in the support of a child with a hearing loss or visual impairments
- Carry out an environmental audit of the environment providing recommendations to schools on modifications or equipment
- Provide advice on any health and safety implications
Specialist equipment
- Loan of specialist equipment or advice on equipment to be provided by school
- Monitoring, maintenance and evaluation of specialist equipment
- Advise on general classroom equipment to improve accessibility
- Liaise with the Paediatric Audiology Team for updates on hearing levels and hearing aid settings
- Regular hearing aid checks including hearing aid analyser checks OR cochlear implant or bone anchored hearing aid checks
- Advise on, or arranging hearing aid repairs or replacements
- Attend audiology appointments where appropriate
- Radio aid checks (if provided)
- Liaise with the ophthalmologist and/or orthoptist for updates on levels of vision and prescribed low vision aids
- Monitor the use of prescription aids such as glasses and hand held magnifiers
Assessments
- Non-verbal abilities tests
- Annual assessments of receptive and expressive vocabulary and language
- Functional vision and listening assessments
- Annual reading and spelling tests
- Keyboard/typing skills
- Mobility and independence needs
- Advice on access arrangements for external examinations or assessments. These should also be in place as the normal way of working for a child and for internal school examinations or assessments.
Training
We provide training for professionals including:
- Whole school or small group training on the implications of hearing loss and/or visual impairment
- Individual ongoing training on strategies to support a child
- Annual courses for staff working with children with hearing loss and/or visual impairment
Our requirements
To provide effective support and advice our support teachers require:
- Access to a quiet, well lit room to provide individual support and assessments
- Regular meetings to discuss support and progress
- Regular access to SENCO and/or class teacher
- Regular liaison with allocated school support staff
- Effective monitoring of the use of specialist equipment.
Referring a child
Medical professionals can make a referral to SSET if there is a hearing loss and/or visual impairment that could affect a child’s access to learning. Parents must always give permission before SSET can provide support.
Contact us to refer a child for our help