1. The National Sensory Impairment Partnership
17th June 2011
NatSIP at HoSS in Birmingham

2. The agreed purpose of NatSIP (since 2009) is:
to improve outcomes for children and young people with sensory impairment through promoting collaborative working between education, health and social care professionals
to help fulfil the potential of children and young people who have sensory impairment
to promote a national model for the benchmarking of clear progress and impact criteria for children and young people who have sensory impairment, with the aim of closing the gap with their peers

3. The agreed purpose of NatSIP (contd) is:
to support a well trained sensory impairment workforce responsive to the Government agenda for education
to inform and advise the DfE and other national agencies on the education of children and young people with sensory impairment

4. Recent developments
NatSIP – 2011 outcomes (funded through National Strategies and partners)
Outcomes benchmarking
Traded services and integrated working
Think Right/Feel Good (VI)
14+ advice for services
Workforce development
NatSIP affiliation
Consultations and responses
Associated NatSIP work

5. Recent developments
NatSIP 2011 – 2013 workstreams (DfE and NatSIP affiliates)
Outcomes benchmarking
SI practice based on Quality Standards
Workforce development for front line staff→ training pathway → effective use of TAs
Emotional Resilience and development of personal competencies
Equality Act SI advice
SEND policy
NatSIP future sustainability
Associated working

6. Focus of NatSIP work with DfE “improving outcomes for children, young people and families”
To provide support and training, in a cost effective way, to ensure that c&yp with SI have access to the curriculum and make good educational progress whilst improving achievement.
To further develop a robust national outcomes framework to support national benchmarking and evaluation
To address the issues raised by DfE about effectiveness of TAs
To promote models proven to reduce barriers to c&yp with SI making good education progress
To improve the social and emotional well-being of c&yp to allow them to reach their full potential
To develop a sustainable national SI partnership

7. NatSIP – the wider role and strength of working in partnership
Professional bodies
Local Authority specialist support services and HoSS
Specialist schools and resource bases
Voluntary and community sector organisations
The wider educational and multi agency context and influences
The government and national agenda

8. NatSIP – working with HoSS
HoSS forum for Heads of VI and HI Support Services, and others with management responsibilities and/or an interest in this aspect of specialist work to share ideas and information
The annual HoSS conference/event/meeting ?

9. SI conferences/events/working days
SI conferences/events/working days?? April 2011 survey VIEW, BATOD, HoSS, NatSIP, regional groups,
National interest:
(1st) Conference
(2nd) Network day
(2nd) Working day
(3rd ) Training day
(4th) Meeting
Local/regional interest:
(1st) Conference
(1st )Meeting
(2nd ) Network day
(2nd ) Training day
(3rd ) Working day

10. SI conferences/events/working days?? April 2011 survey contd.
One day event during the week
£50 - £125 (max £150) for one day event
£150 - £350 (max £400) for residential event / or would not attend!
Issues around funding generally; self funding, travel, training budgets, value of content
= a dilemma !

11. SI conferences/events/working days?? April 2011 survey contd.
HI/VI/MSI or SI?
Joint but
Schools/services/SI organisations?
Together but
Include parents and young people?
Yes but
Most valuable parts?
Networking, updates from the sector and working together on outcomes

12. Next steps for HoSS?
Have clear aims and objectives for working in changing and challenging times
To explore new ways of sharing and communicating across services and schools
To support a well trained sensory impairment workforce responsive to the Government agenda for education