Welcome to the NatSIP Website
This website offers access to a wealth of SI resources, most of which are now 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
- https://www.ndcs.org.uk/information-and-support/being-deaf-friendly/information-for-professionals/creating-good-listening-conditions-for-education-settings/
- https://www.ndcs.org.uk/information-and-support/being-deaf-friendly/information-for-professionals/creating-good-listening-conditions-for-education-settings/what-can-schools-do-to-improve-listening-conditions/
- https://www.ndcs.org.uk/documents-and-resources/managing-listening-conditions-checklist/
- https://www.ndcs.org.uk/documents-and-resources/creating-good-listening-conditions-for-learning-in-education-preliminary-noise-survey/
- https://www.ndcs.org.uk/documents-and-resources/creating-good-listening-conditions-pupil-survey/
- https://www.ndcs.org.uk/documents-and-resources/creating-good-listening-conditions-presentation-for-teachers-of-the-deaf/
- Written by: Ian Noon
NDCS has recently completed a literature review on emotional wellbeing of deaf children, which is now available on their website.
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/6198/emotional_wellbeing_literature_review_2020.pdf
The review is in two parts, looking at what research says on the emotional wellbeing of a) deaf children and young people and b) parents. It looks into what research says about prevalence of emotional wellbeing difficulties, the nature of such difficulties and interventions to support deaf children and young people, and families.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
We are pleased to announce the availability of a new joint NDCS/NatSIP publication: Quailty Standards: Resource provisions for deaf children and young people in mainstream schools.
The purpose of the standards document is to improve outcomes for deaf pupils by providing a framework which:
- helps schools (including academies and free schools in England) and local authorities evaluate the effectiveness of the education provision made for deaf children and young people
- informs the development of school policy and plans
- supports the development and review of service level agreements between the local authority (or the Education Authority in Northern Ireland), and the school hosting the resource provision
- promotes good practice and the effective and efficient use of resources.
The standards can be applied throughout the UK and have been written with reference to guidance, evaluation frameworks and inspection standards operating in all four countries.
A completable self-evaluation tool is also available.
Available documents:
- The pdf standards document (PDF)
- The accompanying document self-evaluation tool (Word)
The document is also available on the NDCS website in Welsh
- Written by: Ian Noon
NDCS has just published a position paper on face masks and coverings in education. This emphasises the need to consider the impact on deaf children, where face masks/coverings are being used, and to take all reasonable adjustments necessary. It also highlights the need to ensure that Qualified Teachers of the Deaf are involved in any discussions around this, along with the family and child.
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/6209/face-covering-in-education-position-paper.pdf
- Written by: Ian Noon
Success from the Start: a developmental resource for families of deaf children aged 0-3.
The Early Support Monitoring Protocol has been revised and updated by the National Deaf Children’s Society into a new online resource for parents and professionals. To find out more about Success from the Start and to download the resource visit: http://www.ndcs.org.uk/successfromthestart
Emma Fraser and Tina Wakefield will be presenting a live webinar on Friday 18th Sept for professionals who work with deaf children aged 0-3 and have never previously used the Early Support Monitoring Protocol, or been involved in the pilot for Success from the Start. More information is available at: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-professionals/online-information-sessions-for-professionals/
- Written by: Paul Simpson
BATOD has published an update about the use of face coverings in educational settings. It can be read and downloaded here:
https://www.batod.org.uk/batod-update-in-relation-to-face-coverings-in-education-settings/
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
In light of the planned wider re-opening of schools in the autumn, NDCS, working with the RNIB, BATOD and NatSIP have produced some guidance around the implications for children and young people:
Deaf children
Produced jointly by NDCS, BATOD and NatSIP, you can find this guidance at:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/6009/meeting-the-needs-of-deaf-children-as-schools-reopen-final.pdf
The guidance sets out some possible issues and questions for schools to consider, that we hope will be helpful in any risks assessments that are being carried out. The aim is to ensure that any specialist needs of deaf children continue to be met.
The document is also available in Welsh here: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/6020/meeting-the-needs-of-deaf-children-as-schools-reopen-ndcs-guidance-final-welsh.pdf
NDCS has also produced a blog checklist for parents to support them in any discussions with schools on how their child’s needs will be met as schools re-open.
http://www.ndcs.org.uk/returntoschool
The joint NDCS, BATOD and NatSIP guidance for deaf students returning to college was published on 12th August and is available in English and Welsh here:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/6053/return-to-college-guidance-english-finaldocx.pdf
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/6054/return-to-college-guidance-welsh-final.pdf
Children with vision impairment
Produced jointly by RNIB, NatSIP and VIEW, you can find this guidance in the NatSIP Document Library: :
The guidance sets out some possible issues and questions for schools to consider, that we hope will be helpful in any risks assessments that are being carried out. The aim is to ensure that any specialist needs of children with vision impairment continue to be met.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
As the end of the academic year approaches we still find ourselves in very unexpected times. Covid-19 has had an impact on professional and personal lives and the future, with the return to school envisaged in September, is still unknown.
NatSIP has aimed to share as much information as possible as the pandemic developed. We have been very grateful for the work of NDCS, RNIB, BATOD and VIEW, to name but four partner organisations who have stepped up their activity in order to lead us through the maze of guidance and information coming from government, and also helping us identify the specific and pertinent issues for our children and young people with sensory impairment, which may otherwise have been overlooked.
As you know NatSIP has been actively working with DfE and ensuring that the needs of those with low incidence disability are kept on the radar. Our response to the Education Select Committee Inquiry on the impact of Covid-19 has now been published and can be found at https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/8329/pdf/ We have also been working with colleagues in Whole School SEND and nasen to keep the Sensory Impairment agenda live within SEND. We hope that our work will bear fruit and be reflected in general guidance and practice as the 'new normal' in the classroom starts to take place next term.
We have really missed seeing colleagues at NatSIP events and are aiming to rectify that. NatSIP is looking to run a National Working Day in November. We are aware of many national policies and strategies that you want to address and hope that we can include them in a virtual day of presentations and workshops. Watch this space for details!
We are also aware that a large part of the value of working days is the networking opportunities and we will be organising, starting in September, some interactive small group 'twilight' sessions.
Other NatSIP CPD opportunities will include:
- a short course on 'Developing decision making with children and young people with SI and additional needs'
- updating the NatSIP TA training and holding a 'train the trainers' course
- Sensory Impairment and Sensory Integration
This is a big 'watch this space' message, and it is also a very big thank you to all of you for continuing to work with children and young people with sensory impairment through a very difficult time. Thank you for your support of NatSIP and enjoy a very good summer break.
Lindsey Jane Rousseau
on behalf of the NatSIP Reference Group
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Ifigeneia Manitsa, a Psychology Researcher and Seminar Leader at Kingston University is undertaking research focused on the social and academic inclusion of adolescents with and without visual impairments. She is also co-operating with Sight for Surrey in order to evaluate the role that rehabilitation services play in the lives of children and adolescents with VI (this particular project has received funding from the National Lottery Fund and Sight for Surrey). She has been published twice in the British Journal of Visual Impairment and she is also a peer reviewer of this journal. She has received many grants for her research and academic merit.
Ifigeneia is currently conducting two studies focused on the social relationships that adolescents with and without visual impairments develop in the school environment and on their school engagement. She is looking for adolescents aged 12-14 years (14 years and 11 months to be accurate!) to take part in this research project. She is more than happy to visit schools, but she can also conduct interviews via Skype/Zoom if schools do not allow any external visitors.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The folllowing statement has appeared on Vision UK's website today, 18 June 2020:
Closure of Vision UK.
It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the closure of Vision UK as of the 31/07/2020. Thanks to all for your support over the years and we hope that the collaboration we have always worked to engender will carry on in different formats and processes. We hope you will agree that things have been achieved for blind and partially sighted people and member organisations, under the collaborative banner over the years. We wish all our members, friends, associates and all blind and partially sighted people (and those at risk of sight loss) all the very best and all success for the future. The link to the website is here: https://www.visionuk.org.uk/https://www.visionuk.org.uk/
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
As of 15 June 2020, face coverings are now mandatory if using public transport in England.
However, the Department for Transport published regulations and guidance over the weekend which set out some important exemptions.
For example, children under the age of 11 will not be required to wear a face covering.
The requirement to wear a face covering also does not apply if you have a reasonable excuse not to. Reasonable excuses include:
- if you have a physical or mental illness or impairment, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering
- if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering would cause you severe distress
- if you are travelling with, or providing assistance to, someone who relies on lip reading to communicate.
The full list of exemptions and reasonable excuses can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers#exemptions-face-coverings
The regulations setting these out in law can be found at:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2020/592/pdfs/uksi_20200592_en.pdf
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The UCL Deaf Cognition and Language Research Centre have published a set of helpful guidelines for using BSL interpreters when remote working (for example, in Zoom video conferences).
The guidelines are available in both PDF and Word document formats from the DCAL website here.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
NDCS have updated their coronavirus blogs (2 October 2020) in light of yesterday’s DfE announcement on remote teaching.
For professionals:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/education-for-deaf-children-coronavirus-info-for-professionals/
For parents:
The main changes is to draw attention to the fact that a Temporary Continuity Direction has been issued and that schools, from the 22nd October, will have a legal duty to provide remote teaching where pupils are self-isolating and/or if there is local or national lockdown. The Direction will be in force until the end of the school year, unless revoked.
Alongside the Direction, some new information/content has been published on remote education, including updated guidance around expectations https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools#res
BATOD has released coronavirus-related guidance for members (https://www.batod.org.uk/
RNIB, in collaboration with VIEW and other key partners, will be providing updates on their work and support offer to families and professionals. This information will complement the work of NDCS and provide VI specific advice and support which will be updated regularly.
Families - https://www.sightadvicefaq.org.uk/independent-living/Covid-19-CYPF-SAFAQ
Professionals – www.rnib.org.uk/educationprofessionals
- Written by: Paul Simpson
BATOD is pleased to add its support to an open letter from a group of deaf professionals about the issues raised for deaf people of all ages by the use of face masks.
You can read the letter on the BATOD website here:
https://www.batod.org.uk/open-letter-about-face-masks/
NDCS have developed a short infographic video with top tips for the general public on communicating with deaf children and young people in light of new Government guidance for the public about wearing face masks.
- Written by: Ian Noon
NDCS tutors are running lessons for families each week over the next 12 weeks, and there are different lessons in each of the nations. The lessons are free.
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/events-for-parents-carers-and-families/online-events/family-sign-language-course/
These are in addition to the online events that NDCS are running during the lockdown to support families:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/online-events/
- Written by: Ian Noon
The NHS issued a safety alert last year that required battery locks in hearing aids used by pre-school children. Colleagues will recall the issues this raised around the fitting of radio aids where this involved removing the battery lock. NDCS issued a blog about this to their members earlier this year.
The safety alert came with a September 2020 deadline.
NDCS and the Assistive Listening Technology Working Group know that many services had already been working hard to change their procedures and policies in response to this safety alert so that pre-school deaf children could still be fitted with radio aids.
They would be very interested to hear from services on whether this September deadline presents any difficulties that weren’t anticipated at the start of the year. They are conscious that the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the work of services. As such, they are keen to understand whether this has had an impact on any work that was being done to ensure compliance with the safety alert and continued/new provision of radio aids to pre-school deaf children.
Any feedback you provide will help us to judge whether this is an issue that we need to raise with the Department of Health and Social Care.
Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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