Visual Impairment Support in Northumberland Approximately 2 in 1000 children are registered either Severely Sight Impaired (Blind)or Partially Sighted in the UK. The Northumberland Visual Impairment Team supports the educational needs of children and young people from birth to 25 years who have a significant visual impairment. Advice, information and assessments can be provided to home and school. Support is also available to children in playgroups and nursery placements. With parental permission information is received from and shared with other relevant professionals and services. The nature and frequency of visits varies according to the circumstances and needs of each child and visits are often carried out with other involved professionals. In addition we provide written advice to schools on a range of eye conditions including colour blindness (CVD). We operate an open referral system. Children may be referred by educational and health services as well as directly from schools, parents and other support services. Where to start: If your child is pre-school age and has a visual impairment these people may be able to offer help to you: Sensory Support NHS Health Visitor Eye Clinic Liaison Disabled Portage Childcare provider or Nursery Charitable Service Officers, Children’s Team Service organisations Ophthalmologist Contact: Your Health Visitor Newcastle Eye Centre Kirstine Gagie, Mrs Carol If your attends childcare Useful Vision Sensory Support will be attached to The Newcastle upon Disabled MacDonald, or a nursery there will be a Henshaws Service, your GP Practice Tyne Hospitals NHS Children Team, Portage Lead, member of staff who knows RNIB Riverside Centre and will offer you Foundation Trust County Hall, Portage how to get in touch with the Children UK Armstrong way, support and Royal Victoria Infirmary Morpeth, NE61 Service, local authority to ask for Action for Blind Ashington guidance, referring Queen Victoria Road 2EF County Hall, advice or help. They can get in People NE63 0YD you to specialist Newcastle upon Tyne Tel. 01670 Morpeth, touch with one of our Royal Blind Society T:01670624854 services as NE1 4LP 516131 specialist staff in the SSS or required. tel: 0191 282 0221 NE61 6NF early Years Team
Visual Impairment Support in Northumberland Approximately 2 in 1000 children are registered either Severely Sight Impaired (Blind)or Partially Sighted in the UK. The Northumberland Visual Impairment Team supports the educational needs of children and young people from birth to 25 years who have a significant visual impairment. Advice, information and assessments can be provided to home and school. Support is also available to children in playgroups and nursery placements. With parental permission information is received from and shared with other relevant professionals and services. The nature and frequency of visits varies according to the circumstances and needs of each child and visits are often carried out with other involved professionals. In addition we provide written advice to schools on a range of eye conditions including colour blindness (CVD). We operate an open referral system. Children may be referred by educational and health services as well as directly from schools, parents and other support services. Where to start: If your child is pre-school age and has a visual impairment these people may be able to offer help to you: Sensory Support Service NHS Health Visitor Eye Clinic Liaison Officers, Ophthalmologist Disabled Children’s Team Portage Service Childcare provider or Nursery Charitable organisations Contact: Sensory Support Service, Riverside Centre Armstrong way, Ashington NE63 0YD T:01670624854 Your Health Visitor will be attached to your GP Practice and will offer you support and guidance, referring you to specialist services as required. Newcastle Eye Centre The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Royal Victoria Infirmary Queen Victoria Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP tel: 0191 282 0221 Kirstine Gagie, Disabled Children Team, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 2EF Tel. 01670 516131 Mrs Carol MacDonald, Portage Lead, Portage Service, County Hall, Morpeth, NE61 6NF If your attends childcare or a nursery there will be a member of staff who knows how to get in touch with the local authority to ask for advice or help. They can get in touch with one of our specialist staff in the SSS or early Years Team Useful Vision Henshaws RNIB Children UK Action for Blind People Royal Blind Society
Visual-Impairment-Support-in-Northumberland-May-16.docx