New course for SENDIASS professionals

Date posted: 12th August 2021

Professionals working in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SENDIASS) can now get a deeper understanding of how vision impairment can affect children in the learning environment through a new course just launched by Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT).

 

This one-day course, Supporting Families of Children with Vision Impairment, is designed specifically for those working within SENDIASS services and covers key areas that need to be considered when supporting vision impaired children, young people and their families.

 

TPT has created this interactive course, customising it onto a digital learning platform, from materials originally created by the RNIB and further developed by VIEW – the professional association for the vision impairment education workforce.

 

Course modules include:

• The visual system and how it works
• Vision impairment and its effects (ocular and cerebral)
• Vision and communication skills
• Learners with vision impairment and complex needs
• The education environment and how the physical environment affects children with vision impairment from early years to further education
• Support team and planning
• Issues in social inclusion and the impact of vision impairment on emotional and social aspects
• Developing independence and how to support the development of independence in children with vision impairment
• Supporting families of children with a vision impairment.

 

Tara Chattaway, Head of Education at TPT, said: “TPT is working in partnership with the Council for Disabled Children (CDC), the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector, to roll out the course to professionals in this sector. The course content has evolved greatly since the original material was created by RNIB and is such a rich source of information and guidance for professionals. It will certainly help them in their roles to support young people and their families.”

 

Tom Quilter, Senior Development Officer at CDC, said: “The course is incredibly thorough. Although it contains a lot of information, it follows a logical thread and the interactive elements and videos keep it interesting. It has lots of valuable insights and practical ideas for SENDIASS professionals to support children and young people with vision impairment.”

 

Those interested in registering for the course can either email TPT directly on studentsupport@pocklington-trust.org.uk or go through their contact at CDC.  Everyone who completes the course will receive a certificate of achievement from the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) – of which CDC is part.

 

Other resources for professionals

If you are a professional working with blind and partially sighted students in secondary, further or higher education, you may be interested in our other resources for professionals .

Resources and guides for professionals

 

ENDS

 

For further information or images please contact: Penny Wilkinson, Thomas Pocklington Trust, penny.wilkinson@pocklington-trust.org.uk  07974 578 637.

 

Editors’ Notes

About Thomas Pocklington Trust

Thomas Pocklington Trust is a national charity dedicated to enabling and empowering blind and partially sighted people of all ages to live the life they want to lead. We are committed to increasing awareness and understanding of their needs and aspirations, to working with partners and to developing and implementing services which meet these needs to increase independence and improve lives. These include:

• Acting as an advocate and positive change agent for blind and partially sighted people.
• Creating opportunities for blind and partially sighted people seeking employment.
• Enabling opportunities and supporting blind and partially sighted people whilst in and entering education.
• Facilitating the voice and encouraging self-determination of blind and partially sighted people.
• Being an effective partner and grant funder based on our knowledge of the sector.

 

About the Council for Disabled Children

The Council for Disabled Children is the umbrella body for the disabled children’s sector bringing together professionals, practitioners and policy-makers.

It works collaboratively to ensure the best outcomes for children and young people.

The Council for Disabled Children is part of the National Children’s Bureau

https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk