Report warns against SEND reforms overlooking needs of children with vision impairment

A report out today warns the government risks overlooking the needs of children and young people with vision impairment in its proposed SEND reforms.

The report highlights the role that specialist schools play in providing holistic support, covering education but independent living skills too. It says that, without the right support, children and young people with vision impairment are vulnerable to becoming long-term NEET, economically inactive and stuck in a benefit trap.

The report has been authored by Dr Rachel Hewett, co-director of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR), based at the University of Birmingham. It was commissioned by New College Worcester (NCW), a residential school for children and young people with vision impairment, and supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

There has been a 469% increase in EHCP appeals registered since 2015-16[1], but the numbers for vision impairment have remained fairly constant, currently making up 0.8% of all EHCPs. Students with vision impairment are frequently out of school while awaiting funding decisions during tribunals, which can happen at any time of year.

The report also identifies a lack of clarity about the role of specialist schools in the recent SEND White Paper. It recommends that funding for vision impairment is ring-fenced, highlighting that the disability is low incidence but high need.

Rachel Perks, Principal at NCW said: “We’re concerned that not enough is being done to protect children and young people with vision impairment, a disability renowned for being low incidence but with a high level of need.

“Parents refer to the crucial missed learning when their child is out of mainstream school while they await funding for a specialist setting that can better meet their needs. I worry that without proper redress, many children with vision impairment will end up out of education for long periods of time.

“We’d also like to see a recognition of the holistic education that specialist schools provide, helping to prepare our young people for adulthood. For example, through the Curriculum Framework for Vision Impairment which includes independent living skills. 

“All of this is essential to ensure young people with vision impairment can remain economically active, and avoid getting stuck in the benefits trap over time.”

Other recommendations include:

• An increase in Qualified Teachers for Vision Impairment (QTVIs) and Habilitation Specialists. There are currently just over 600 QTVIs and 120 Habilitation Specialists to support more than 37,000 children with vision impairment across the UK. The government reversed plans to fund QTVI training through Level 7 Apprenticeships but so far has not provided any alternative solutions.

• The formal integration of the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI) into National Inclusion Standards.

• The development of nationally available CPD for special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs), classroom teachers, and teaching assistants to ensure they understand the role of education in supporting the independence of children and young people with vision impairment.

Dr Rachel Hewett, co-director of Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR), based at the University of Birmingham, said: “While we’re encouraged at the government’s recognition of the importance of drawing on specialists to support children with SEND, the broad needs of low incidence groups like children and young people with vision impairment must not be overlooked in these reforms. By having formal recognition of the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment, we can ensure these holistic needs are met.”

ENDS

[1] The number of EHCP appeals has increased from 3,712 in 2015-16 to 21,106 in 2023-24 (Department for Education)

https://www.ncw.co.uk/ncw-send-white-paper-response-media

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