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: Caireen Sutherland
149 education professionals joined a joint RNIB/Sense virtual training event on 30th November. The session was part of RNIB’s free CPD offer to all those working with children/young people with vision impairment which runs throughout the academic year in a twilight session from 4-5.30pm. The full programme can be found here: Training for professionals supporting learners with visual impairments | RNIB
Sense and RNIB are working together to deliver training for those working with children with VI and complex needs and/or multi-sensory impairment. November’s session discussed the importance of play – at any age and included some very practical take-away ideas. Two further sessions are planned Intensive interaction and the use of resonance boards and exploring a tactile world, in January and June respectively. See the link on RNIB for more details and how to sign up.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Evelyn is 9 years old and tells us about herself and her friends at Riddings Junior School in Derbyshire.
We would like to thank Evelyn, her family, friends and teachers for allowing us to share her enjoyment of school and letting us know what helps her.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The CRIDE (Consortium for Research into Deaf Education) 2022 England report is now on the BATOD website at https://www.batod.org.uk/information/cride-reports/ and on the NDCS website https://www.ndcs.org.uk/cride
CRIDE is the consortium across the UK which brings together a range of organisations and individuals with a common interest in using research to improve the educational outcomes achieved by deaf children. The reports from the other countries will be published in due course.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
This guidance, a version of which developed by the sensory impairment support team at Cambridge County Council, was circulated on the HoSS (Heads of Sensory Services) Forum in June 2022 as a contribution to the SI community of practice which the HoSS Forum represents.
NatSIP is pleased to endorse this guidance document and offer it a wider circulation.
Available document:
- Written by: Caireen Sutherland
Thomas Pocklington Trust are calling for the government to ensure that blind and partially sighted students have access to the support and resources they need in post-16 education to reach their full potential.
Their report ‘Give Me Access To College’ shows a fragmented and unreliable system of support for blind and partially sighted students as they leave secondary education.
Read the full report here: https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Give-me-Access-to-College-Report.pdf
- Written by: Emma Fraser
This is a closed Facebook group primarily for professionals in education, health and social care working with deaf children and their families. It is a place where professionals can provide feedback to us about our work, and a space for professionals from different disciplines to come together and discuss topics relating to working with deaf children. Professionals can join the group here.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
There is a new resource from CIICA, with EUROCIU, with up to date information on the impact of hearing loss and deafness and on cochlear implantation in children. It emphasises the importance of newborn screening and early diagnosis, with the opportunity for early implantation.
The link, where you can download your copy to share, is here: to https://ciicanet.org/resources/
- Written by: Martin McLean
NDCS has updated its guidance for higher education providers. It is aimed at higher education staff who would like to better understand the needs of deaf students including university disability advisors, admission tutors and lecturers. It is free to download from: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/documents-and-resources/deaf-friendly-higher-education/
- Written by: Ian Noon
NDCS has just published a position paper on support to families with deaf children to learn sign language.
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/8089/position-paper-on-support-to-families-to-learn-sign-language.pdf
NDCS is sometimes asked what they think should form part of a local authority offer to families on sign language. This paper sets out what NDCS would see as key points to consider and we hope that it will be helpful.
- Written by: Ian Noon
Nadine Fitzpatrick, Research Manager at the National Deaf Children’s Society has information about a new research tender for NDCS.
This one is looking at the experiences of deaf children and young people, and their families, from black, Asian and other ethnic and culturally diverse groups in the UK.
'A key focus is the experience of accessing specialist services for deaf children. We hope to capture a range of experiences and where necessary, identify if and how these families could/should be better supported when accessing these services. We would also like to document any examples of good practice. We are particularly interested in early years’ experience and the support received post-identification as we know that this period of a child’s language development is critical for later outcomes in life.'
More details about the fund can be found here:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/blog/applications-open-for-research-funding-experiences-of-deaf-children-and-young-people-and-their-families-from-black-asian-and-other-ethnic-and-culturally-diverse-groups-in-the-uk/
The funding is for up to £60,000 for a project completed by May 2025. The deadline for applications is the end of this November.
Anyone who would like more information before applying should contact Nadine: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Teresa Quail
The Scottish Sensory Centre has just launched BSL Glossaries: Teaching Resources. https://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/BSL/resources/
The SSC website notes "This is a collection of BSL resources to support teaching and learning, to help highlight and share other resources and avoid duplication of effort.
These links have been provided by the SSC BSL Glossary team and colleagues from across the UK and beyond. If you would like to suggest a resource for inclusion, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it."
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The UCL researchers for this important longitudinal study are seeking participants.
If you know a deaf children who meet the criteria please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The children need to:
- start Reception in the school year 2022/23 (or 2023/24)
- be diagnosed as severely or profoundly deaf before the age of 3yrs regardless of communication modalities
- have lived in the UK for at least the last 6 months
- have no disabilities that would prevent them from completing 30mins of tasks on a computer
If you are able to assist at all with recruitment please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The study, in the Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre, has been approved by the UCL Research Ethics Committee.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Following the publication of the Government's Green Paper SEND review: Right support, Right place, Right time NatSIP has worked with organisations and partners in the sector on a response to the consultation.
We would like to thank all colleagues who have contributed and look forward to working with you as the work develops.
The NatSIP response documents are available for download:
- pdf NatSIP Response to the questions asked in the Green Paper
- pdf NatSIP Supplementary Response to the Green Paper
Will Quince, the Minister of State for School Standards, has recorded a message about the end of the consultation and next steps. To watch the video in full, please visit Twitter: https://twitter.com/willquince/status/1550464956369444864
For more information about the SEND and AP Green Paper please visit the SEND Review website: https://sendreview.campaign.gov.uk/
- Written by: Ian Noon
NDCS has updated their policy briefing on the SEND review. The updated briefing can be found at:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/media/7653/send-review-2022-ndcs-policy-briefing.pdf
By way of reminder, NDCS also have a guide for parents on responding to the SEND review consultation at:
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/get-involved/campaigning/campaigns-england/the-send-review-in-england/
- Written by: Teresa Quail
The more responses we receive, the better and more influential the findings will be in shaping the future of the Audiology Refreshers.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The Guide Dogs Tech for All initiative is a commitment to make sure children with a vision impairment in the UK have access to an Apple iPad to use outside of school - to support their learning, or just to have fun and explore the activities and interests they enjoy. With excellent assistive technology built-in as standard, such as screen magnification, voiceover and audio descriptions, an iPad can break down barriers and make activities easier, like reading in larger fonts, magnifying photos, and keeping in touch with friends.
In 2022, Guide Dogs have 2,500 iPads available for children and young people aged 3-18 across the UK. The devices are completely free of charge, with the only requirement being proof of vision impairment. Guide Dogs also provide access to extensive digital learning resources to make sure that children can get the most out of their device, and to help ensure that they stay safe online.
Applications are now open at www.guidedogs.org.uk/techforall Stocks are limited so apply early to avoid missing out!
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