Welcome to the NatSIP Website
This website offers access to a wealth of SI resources, most of which are freely available. We encourage you to register on the site for full access to everything we have to offer. Registration is free, and open to anyone. A walkthrough/howto on the registration process is here.
- Written by: Ian Noon
Alison Worsley and Jemma South, Platform Leads at National Deaf Children’s Society, have given an update about changes and developments in the way that NDCS is supporting children and their families to help set them up for life.
You can read the briefing below and if you would like more information abouthe NDCS strategy and the new roles, please contact Alison and Jemma via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The Tactile Times Accessible Advent Calendar is back again, full of jokes and surprises for 2025, through the link below:
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The National Deaf Children's Society, BATOD and NatSIP have worked together to develop a briefing on the specialist needs of deaf children and the role of Teachers of the Deaf. This seeks to summarise the role of Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs) in meeting the unique and specialist needs of deaf children and young people. It also provides evidence, statutory context, and key considerations for anyone involved in reviewing or commissioning specialist education services for deaf children.
- Written by: Brian Lamb
The British Deaf Association has funded and published three new reports.
They are availble through their website: https://bda.org.uk/early-bsl-matters/
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Calling all MSI practitioners!
Following the success of the 2025 conference, the organisers are pleased to invite you to join us for a second learning and networking event for practitioners working with deafblind/multi-sensory impaired children and young people.
| Event: |
MSI Conference: Raising the profile of multi-sensory impairment |
| Mode: | In-person attendance |
| Date: | Tuesday 16 June 2026 09:30 - 16:15 |
| Venue: | University College London Centre for Inclusive Education |
Please save the date in your diaries now.
For more details, including a downloadable flyer about the day, please see here.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The Kingdon Report on children's hearing services has been published today, 10 November2025. It can be downloaded here
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Deaf children and people with experience of childhood deafness from across the UK have come together to highlight what matters most to children affected by deafness and hearing loss, as part of a project funded by the National Deaf Children’s Society and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
On September 18th they published the two Top 10 research priority lists in Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss! You can find the official press release from NDCS here: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/deaf-children-share-insights-what-researchers-should-study-next [ndcs.org.uk]
Alongside sharing the results, they have also announced the launch of the exciting legacy group Childhood Deafness Research Network, which will bring people together to address the research priorities on childhood deafness that were identified. Here are the links to the network and the two lists of Top 10 priorities:
https://childdeafnessresearch.co.uk/
https://childdeafnessresearch.co.uk/top-10-priorities-ranked-by-adults/
https://childdeafnessresearch.co.uk/top-10-priorities-ranked-by-children/
- Written by: Jane Sharp
RNIB’s latest programme of CPD sessions for education professionals is now live. This autumn term, explore a range of free, expert-led events designed to support those working with children and young people with vision impairment. Topics include technology, exams, music, and braille – all designed to enhance practice and confidence.
Visit RNIB’s website to view the full programme: Training for professionals supporting learners with vision impairment | RNIB
- Written by: Jane Sharp
In 2024 and 2025, RNIB put out Freedom of Information requests to learn more about provision for children and young people with vision impairment in education. Thanks to the time and effort put into responses, the reports continue to provide valuable insight. The full reports are available on RNIB's website: Freedom of Information Reports | RNIB
Some key findings from across the UK are:
- Written by: Tara Chattaway
Online Training: Starting the Conversation - Thomas Pocklington Trust
This training is designed for education professionals looking to learn about vision impairment (VI) and how to support blind and partially sighted (BPS) children and young people.
The course is:
- Completely free
- Online
- Self-paced, and can be completed in a way that suits, in one go, or in blocks over a three-month period.
Vision impairment is a low incidence disability, so many professionals may not have experience of working with blind or partially sighted students. Our easily accessible course is designed to:
- Build confidence in understanding vision impairment and its impacts
- Equip professionals with practical tools and tips to help overcome barriers to learning for children and young people
- Consider wide ranging topics and practical advice – from understanding what vision impairment is, to the support available and the support you might offer in your role.
With on-line quizzes and case studies to reflect on, professionals will learn real, tangible ways of improving engagement with BPS students.
The training is not suitable for VI specialists or professionals working in Higher Education, but we hope that this can be a useful tool for the specialist workforce to use to promote awareness amongst non-specialists.
If you have any questions then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
This research highlights the benefits of a 10-week online parenting course, the ‘Nurturing Programme’, to improve emotional well-being and strengthen family relationships among deaf children and their families.
The ‘Nurturing Programme’ was developed by The Centre for Emotional Health (formerly known as Family Links), and adapted and delivered by Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) to families with deaf children. The research was led by Amy Spicer (Family Support Manager, AVUK) and funded by the National Deaf Children’s Society.
Key findings
- The programme reached 37 parents/ caregivers of deaf children aged between 2 to 12 years old.
- Nearly half (46%) of parents noticed an improvement in their child’s behaviour (e.g., showing empathy, helping others)
- Just over two thirds (68%) saw a reduction in their child’s emotional and behavioural difficulties
- The majority (90%) of parents reported improved mental wellbeing
- Overall, parents found the programme very helpful and felt more confident in their parenting skills
More information about the research can be found here. You can read the Full Report here.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award team is currently working to raise awareness among ANAP (Additional Need and Alternative Provision) settings about the funding available to help them deliver the DofE to the young people they support.
The Funding for Additional Needs and Alternative Provision (ANAP) project, supported by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, is available to state-funded SEND schools, Alternative Provisions, and Pupil Referral Units that receive funding through their local authority or directly from the government.
Applications close on 11 December 2025, and they are keen to ensure as many organisations as possible have the opportunity to access this funding. They are dedicated to making the DofE more widely available and accessible, ensuring that young people with special educational needs and disabilities have equal access to the life-changing opportunities the DofE offers.
Guide Dogs: Eye Care Support Pathway for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment in England
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The online launch of the Eye Care Support Pathway for Children & Young People with a Vision Impairment in England took place on 15 July.
The new pathway is designed to ensure children and young people get the support they need, and will be a framework for families, health and social care professionals, commissioners, and charities. It is intended to sit alongside the Eye Care Support Pathway for adults and the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with a Vision Impairment.
You can download the full pathway on the Guide Dogs website: Eye Care Support Pathway
If you have any questions on the pathway, or would like further information, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
On the hottest afternoon of 2025 so far, NatSIP was pleased to welcome over 60 delegates and speakers via Microsoft Teams to what proved to be a discussion-stimulating and content-packed event as we explored specialist resourced bases for learners with sensory impairments (deaf/HI, VI and MSI).
The UK Government has wide-ranging long-term plans for reforms to help more pupils with SEND have their needs met in mainstream schools. As part of the continuum of provision for SI learners, this NatSIP event focussed on the valuable contribution of specialist SI resourced provisions and units.
We would like to thank all speakers, from DfE and the SI sector, and all contributors to the event and discussion. As we continue to explore how the specialist sector meets the needs of learners with low incidence disabilities we are sure that this is a debate which will continue!
Speaker presentations from the event which we are able to share are now available in the NatSIP Document Library
Available documents:
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
New from Sound Waves Foundation:
The release of our newest Deaf Kids Tip Kits; Residential Trips, Swimming and Theme Park is just in time for summer! Our kits are jam-packed full of helpful and practical tips written by deaf children to educate others on how to be more inclusive and deaf aware during activities!!
Our Tip Kits are designed to promote inclusion, and help create safer, more enjoyable experiences for deaf children. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or activity leader, they empower you with the confidence and knowledge to support deaf children effectively and respectfully. Each kit is easy to read, visually engaging and easily shareable at the touch of a button.
Best of all—they're completely free to download!
Visit our website to get your Deaf Kids Tip Kits today:
- Written by: Ian Noon
NDCS has published a report that looks at how families experience informed choices and how this impacts the decisions that they make on language and communication.
The research was carried by Gwen Carr for the National Deaf Children’s Society. Although the research was based in Scotland, the findings apply across the whole of the UK.
The report contains a number of important findings. For example, it found that many families talked positively about the support they had received. Professionals also spoke about the importance of putting the family first and being led by their needs. It highlights the challenges that many families face in accessing information and support.
To find out more about the research, you can read our summary for parents and the full report.
You can also read our position statement on informed choice too.
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