Explanation of the roles of different professionals supporting children and young people with visual impairments
Ophthalmologist:
An ophthalmologist is a person who has qualified as a doctor and specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions. They can prescribe spectacles and treatments. Most ophthalmologists will perform surgery although they may specialise in different types of surgery.
Orthoptist:
An orthoptist is a person who assesses vision and eye movements. They use methods of assessing vision that are most suitable for young children. They assess and manage children and adults with lazy eye, squint and double vision. They usually work in eye clinics with ophthalmologists.
Optometrist:
An optometrist is a person who examines eyes to see if spectacles will improve vision and to check for eye disorders. Optometrists write a spectacle prescription that is given to the patient and passed on to the dispensing optician to make lenses.
Dispensing Optician:
A dispensing optician is a person who makes spectacles based on a prescription. They can decide on the best type of lens and spectacle frame to suit the individual. Optometrists are sometimes called opticians.
Paediatrician:
Paediatricians are children’s doctors who are expert in child development and in how ill health/disability affect children. They may assess and monitor children who have a visual impairment or other special needs, and link with other services – education, social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy etc., to ensure children are adequately supported.
Health Visitors:
Health Visitors are all Registered General Nurses who have specialised in Community Health Care. They work to promote Individual, Family and Public Health. They provide a wide range of nursing services including: home visiting, accident prevention, behaviour management, continence and feeding advice. They also offer advice on family stress, welfare, and benefits. For more information about this service, you can use the following link: https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/health
Social Services:
Finding out about services and benefits can sometimes be confusing and frustrating for families. Contact with local social services allows families to have as much information as possible in the early stages of diagnosis and beyond. A child does not have to be registered as blind or partially sighted to obtain help and advice. For more information use can use the following link: www.devon.gov.uk/care-and-health/disabilities/getting-help/benefits
Habilitation Service (ROVIC service):
Children with visual impairments need specialist help to develop daily living skills and independent travel, this differs from adult rehabilitation. Children who are born without sight have particular requirements when learning to get about independently and trained specialists are essential to the appropriate development of those skills. The ROVIC service is a Devon County Council local authority service. Referrals and enquiries are actioned by Children and Family Health Devon through their Single Point of Access (SPA). Find out more information about ROVIC and their services.
Qualified Teacher for the Visually Impaired (QTVI):
The QTVI is a teacher with additional qualifications to teach children with visual impairment from birth onwards. They should visit families at home and offer advice about early visual stimulation, suitable play materials and facilities available locally. The teacher maintains contact during the pre-school years and beyond. They follow a child’s progress throughout school and assist with any problems that may arise. In Devon, the hospital eye clinic or the ROVIC service usually refer children to the QTVI but sometimes schools refer.
Early Years Complex Needs Team:
Devon Early Years Complex Needs Service is a year round education based service for children under 5 with the most severe and complex needs. The service is registered with the National Portage Association (NPA) and supports children to achieve success using small steps, play based, child centred approach. The service works in the home and in community settings with parents and partner agencies to promote inclusive practice and to build confidence and resilience. You can read more about the service using the following link: https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/eycn/
Organisations that can support you
Here are some of the most common support organisations both locally and nationally. It is not a comprehensive list:
Contact
Contact have a team of parent advisers who will help parents to find further information on their child’s condition as they keep a directory of conditions and selfhelp groups. Website: http://www.contact.org.uk
Devon Information Advice and Support (DIAS)
DIAS offer legally-based and easily accessible information and advice about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). They support parents, carers, children and young people with SEND and the service is impartial and confidential. Website: https://www.devonias.org.uk/
Guide Dogs
As well as training guide dogs for blind and partially sighted people, Guide Dogs provides a range of additional services including sighted guiding, Buddy Dogs and guide dogs for children and young people. They provide the CustomEyes Book Service which produces tailor-made large-print books for the benefit of children who find it hard to read commercially available print. Website: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/
Moorvision
Moorvision provides a supportive environment, information and a chance to get together for anyone in or around Devon, Plymouth and Torbay caring for a child or young person (0 – 25yrs) who has a visual impairment or other recognised eye condition. It is also open to visually impaired parents of either visually impaired or fully sighted children. Website: https://www.moorvision.org/
Quids for Kids
The Quids for Kids project provides specialist advice to families of children with additional needs, long term illness or disability. They can help by assessing whether families are able to claim benefits, and can help families challenge benefit decisions if they think they have not been treated fairly. Website: https://www.cabdevon.org.uk/quids-for-kids/
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
RNIB Education and Family Services promotes the interest of children and young people with sight problems and those who support them. They provide training, information and advice, technology and political representation. Website: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC)
The RSBC provide a range of services for children with visual impairment, their families and professionals working with them. In the South West they offer a family support worker who can meet families and talk to them about visual impairment. Website: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/
Scottish Sensory Centre (SSC)
SSC promotes and supports new developments and effective practices in the education of children and young people with sensory impairments. An annual programme of CPD short courses, conferences and research is underpinned by information services including a postal resource library and a packed website. Website: http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk
Thomas Pocklington Trust
Information on housing and support for people with sight loss and a useful source of documents on topics such as lighting etc. http://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk
VICTA
VICTA supports children and young people who are blind or partially sighted and their families across the UK. They work with parents of a blind or partially sighted children or young person and young people themselves who are visually impaired yourself and under the age of 29. Website: https://www.victa.org.uk/
Look UK
Look support young visually impaired people and their families to thrive. They do this through mentoring, transformational events, youth forums and parent support groups. You can access their website using the following link: Look UK – Supporting Visually Impaired Young People to Thrive (https://www.look-uk.org/)