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: 

UK wide key finding

It was encouraging to find that 90 per cent of VI services across the UK have embedded the Curriculum Framework for children and young people with Vision Impairment in standard working practices.

England key findings include:

Numbers of QTVIs

One in five local authority VI services reported a decrease in QTVIs.

Funding

One in four local authority VI services failed to see their budget rise in line with inflation in 2024/25.

Caseloads

The average caseload per QTVI remains high at 53.

Northern Ireland key findings include:

Caseloads

Average caseloads for QTVIs are very high at 60 or more.

Habilitation

The proportion of children and young people with VI who are receiving habilitation support in their educational setting has decreased further to one per cent.

Scotland key findings include:

Funding

The number of local authority VI services reporting a budget increase has risen to 69 per cent.

Habilitation

Waiting times for an initial visit from a habilitation specialist have increased, with some children now waiting up to 18 months.

Wales key findings include:

Caseloads

The number of children and young people on active caseloads across Wales has increased by nine per cent while the number of QTVIs has decreased by 12 per cent.

Funding

VI services providing support to one in five local authorities have experienced a real-terms budget cut.

Habilitation

Ten per cent more children and young people with VI are accessing habilitation support.