Specialist Teaching Services
Vision Support Service
Partnership with Parents/Carers
- It is recognised that parents/carers of children and young people with special educational needs arising from visual impairment face extraordinary pressures. Vision Support Service members aim to work with parents/carers and give them real opportunities to influence and contribute to their child's development and education.
- Parents/carers have an expert knowledge of their child and an insight and understanding which should be valued. The teacher of the visually impaired seeks to establish a partnership which links the professional's advice with the parent or carer's knowledge of the child. The aim of the partnership is to help to reduce the effect of the child's visual difficulties on his/her development and education.
- The specialist teacher of the visually impaired will take a family's cultural background and differences into account in order to provide sensitive support and guidance.
- At the pre-school stage, the qualified teacher of the visually impaired will provide advice and resources which are relevant to the developmental needs of the child as part of a home-based programme where appropriate.
- Copies of initial assessment reports, Appendix 'B' advice and annual review reports will be sent to parents/carers. It is essential that there is an opportunity to discuss these documents.
- The teacher of the visually impaired supports the parents/carers in the full and comprehensive planning for school entry. Once a child is in full-time education, the teacher of the visually impaired will maintain links with parents/carers.
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