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Camden Sensory Service for Vision Impairment (VI) and Multi-Sensory Impairments (MSI) (Camden Council)

The Camden Sensory Service for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (VI) and Multi-Sensory Impairments (MSI) provide a statutory service for families and educational settings around children and young people (CYP) with sensory impairment, aged 0 – 25yrs, following a referral which includes confirmation of vision / multi-sensory (deaf-blindness) impairment from an ophthalmology and / or audiology centre.

Our aim is to put children and young people (CYP) with sensory impairments at the centre of everything we do. We strive to minimise barriers to learning and achievement and enable them to develop and use skills they need for life. We aim to help families and educational settings understand the impact of sensory needs on learning and to raise the educational standards and achievements of children and young people (CYP) with sensory impairments.

The Camden Sensory Service for Children and Young People provide:

  • Direct specialist teaching – in homes and educational settings
  • Support for parents/carers from the child’s birth onwards, following diagnosis
  • Discussions with students to ensure their views & needs are taken into account
  • Guidance for families in selecting appropriate educational placements and through transition periods
  • Assessment of functional vision / hearing and give specialist support
  • Contribution to specialist statutory assessment procedures, and provide the provision in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP)
  • Support to educational settings on making reasonable adjustments, teaching strategies,  improve classroom conditions, along with staff training on VI / MSI awareness and equipment
  • Provision and maintenance of, and instruction in use of specialist equipment
  • Provide information and advice; sign post to other services and resources for deaf, vision impairment and multi-sensory impairment

 

The team works with CYP with sensory impairment and their families at home, local community, early year’s settings, mainstream schools, FE settings, special education settings and hospitals. We support CYP from 0 – 19yrs (to 25 if the CYP has an EHCP) who meet the NaTSIP eligibility criteria, which is based on the CYP’s level of vision / MSI and ongoing developmental needs.

The service provides advice, training and support on all aspects of VI / MSI awareness, equipment, learning, social / emotional well-being, post-16 studies and support through each transition stage.

Contact details

Contact Name
Paul Ryan
Contact Position
Qualified Teacher for Vision and Multi-Sensory Impairment
Telephone
020 7974 6645
E-mail
paul.ryan@camden.gov.uk
Alternative Contact
Referrals: csscyp@camden.gov.uk

Address

Address
Camden Sensory Service for Children & Young People: VI / MSI
London Borough of Camden
10th Floor, 5 Pancras Square
c/o Camden Town Hall
Judd Street
London
Postcode
WC1H 9JE

Time / Date Details

When is it on
Our service is term time only although we may respond to enquiries and referrals out of term time.
Opening times (visits)
We are contactable from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm Monday to Friday during term time.

Further details

Parent Body
Camden Council Supporting People Directorate
Client Group
Children and Young People aged 0 – 25 with a sensory impairment, their families and carers.
Catchment Area
We are based at 5 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG and cover all of the borough of Camden.
Referrals Policy

Referrals are accepted from parents/carers, the local authority, social care services, education and health professionals.

To make a referral please contact: Doreen Barcy, Team Leader of the Camden Sensory Service, doreen.barcy@camden.gov.uk. A referral form will be sent to you. Complete this referral form and email to csscyp@camden.gov.uk with 'Deaf referral' in the subject line.

Referral required?
Yes
Ward
St Pancras and Somers Town Ward
Last checked date
05/11/2015
Record ID
40018

Local Offer

About Local Offer
Local Offer Age Bands
Preparing for Adult Life 14-25
Children under 5
School Age Children & Young People 5-18
SEN Provision Type
Targeted
Specialist
Where is the service located and what areas does it cover?

The Camden Sensory Service for Children and Young People is based at 5 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG and cover all of the borough of Camden. We visit both homes, educational settings and ophthalmology appointment when this is appropriate.

Who does your service provide for?

The service is free to all children and young people with a diagnosis of vision impairment / multi-sensory impairment, in Camden maintained schools, to all children under 5 and to all Camden CYP who have support written in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for VI / MSI.

We also supports out of borough placements, within reasonable distance, where the Camden CYP has support in their EHCP for VI / MSI.

If a child or young person from another borough is a student in Camden and has an EHCP with VI or MSI specifically stated in section F of EHCP then they are usually supported by the local authority in which they reside. Sometimes, reciprocal or commissioning agreements are sought.

How can a child or young person start using the service?

Referrals are accepted from parents/carers, the local authority, social care services, education and health professionals.

Referrals must include a confirmation letter / report from a medical professional once a sensory impairment is diagnosed. Parents/carers will be asked to provide a consenting signature prior to our initial contact. 

Parents/carers who have concerns regarding their child's hearing / vision should seek advice from the school nurse or GP. 

How are decisions made about eligibility for your service?

Initial contact will take place as soon as possible after referral and visit frequency will then be established using the National Sensory Impairment Partnership Eligibility Criteria (NaTSIP). 

How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making/planning?

Interpreters are available to enable communication with parent / carers / CYP whose first language is not English.

Is your service fully accessible?

All of our work takes place in the home or educational setting. If a family is asked to meet at our office, 5 Pancras Square, the building is fully accessible. 

What training have the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had/or will be they be getting?

We are part of the Camden Sensory Service for Children and Young People. Our teachers have specialist additional training and hold the Mandatory Qualifications for Teachers of Hearing, Vision and Multi-Sensory Impairment (QToD / QTVI / QTMSI).

All members of the team regularly update their knowledge and skills through attending specialist training for Teachers of the Deaf, Vision Impairment / Multi-Sensory Impairments.

We work with other professionals and organisations and are happy to provide useful contacts and information upon request. 

Who should a service user contact if they want to raise a concern or complain about something?

Your experience is important to us. Services often ask for feedback to help them understand how to improve the offer they provide. 

If a service user wants to raise a concern or complain they should speak to the Team Leader of Camden Sensory Services for CYP; Doreen Barcy on 020 7974 6602 or by email to doreen.barcy@camden.gov.uk

Who can a parent carer/young person contact for further information?

For further information please contact Paul Ryan, Qualified Teacher for Visual and Multi-Sensory Impairment, on 020 7974 6645 or by email to paul.ryan@camden.gov.uk

The Local Offer is a free and impartial service provided by Camden Local Authority. Any service or provider mentioned in this Local Offer, does not represent a recommendation or endorsement of the service or quality of the service provided. You are responsible for undertaking your own checks to determine suitability of the service and provider.

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