University of Birmingham research highlights critical gaps in government plans for special educational needs
A new report warns that proposed government reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision risk overlooking the needs of children and young people with vision impairment.
The report, authored by Dr Rachel Hewett, co-director of the Vision Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR) at the University of Birmingham, was commissioned by New College Worcester (NCW) and supported by the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
Specialist schools under threat
The research highlights the vital role specialist schools play in delivering holistic support, encompassing not only education but essential independent living skills.
Without adequate provision, the report warns, children and young people with vision impairment face a significant risk of becoming long-term NEET (not in education, employment or training), economically inactive and trapped in welfare dependency.
Rachel Perks, Principal at NCW, said: “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.
“Without proper redress, many children with vision impairment will end up out of education for long periods of time.”
Funding and workforce concerns
The report identifies a lack of clarity around the role of specialist schools in the recent SEND White Paper. It recommends that funding for vision impairment be ring-fenced, noting the disability is low incidence but high need.
There are currently just over 600 Qualified Teachers for Vision Impairment and 120 Habilitation Specialists supporting more than 37,000 children with vision impairment across the UK.
Dr Hewett said: “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.”
