Hearing Support

Sometimes referred to as a ‘hearing loss,’ ‘hearing impairment’ or ‘deafness’ -however the learner prefers to describe their hearing levels, STARS aim to ensure all learners reach their academic potential, and are active members of society.

Early identification of need and effective early intervention provide leaners with the best opportunity to reach their full potential. STARS staff help learners, their families, and adults who work with the learner to understand hearing levels and how they may affect the learner’s day to day life; at home, at school and in the community. A learner on the STARS caseload may receive support in a variety of ways, according to their need including; assessment of access needs, relevant information, advice, guidance and training for families and educational settings, interventions for management of hearing devices and Radio Aid systems, language acquisition, developing listening skills, developing language skills, audiological skills and knowledge, development of Theory of Mind (ToM), and additional support through key stages of transition.

Vision Support

Sometimes referred to a ‘visual impairment,’ of ‘visually impaired’ – however the learner prefers to describe their levels of vision, STARS aim to ensure all learners reach their academic potential and are active members of society.

Early identification of need and effective early intervention provide leaners with the best opportunity to reach their full potential. STARS staff help learners, their families, and adults who work with the learner to understand levels of vision and how they may affect the learner’s day to day life; at home, at school and in the community. A learner on the STARS caseload may receive support in a variety of ways, according to their need including; assessment of access needs, relevant information, advice, guidance and training for families and educational settings, intervention for habilitation, mobility or technology support and additional support through key stages of transition.

Support when Hearing and Vision Levels are Both Affected

Sometimes referred to as ‘Multi-Sensory Impairment,’ (MSI) or ‘Dual Sensory Loss’ – however the learner prefers to describe their levels of hearing and vision, STARS aim to ensure all learners reach their academic potential and are active members of society.

Early identification of need and effective early intervention provide leaners with the best opportunity to reach their full potential. STARS staff help learners, their families, and adults who work with the learner to understand levels of hearing and vision and when combined, how they may affect the learner’s day to day life, at home, at school and in the community. A learner on the STARS caseload may receive support in a variety of ways, according to their need as detailed for hearing and vision support sections above. Additionally, STARS staff are able to work with colleagues in Social Care to organise the necessary, specialist assessment - according to the Care and Support for Deafblind Children and Adults Policy Guidance (2014) (issued under section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 in relation to children).  

The team also run a number of groups for children and young people to take part in;

• Mini STARS
• All STARS
• Super STARS
• Tiny STARS at Playbox

Related Links

National Deaf Childrens Society website
RNID - National Hearing loss website
RNIB - National Sight loss website
Sense - For people with complex disabilities
Deafblind UK - Supporting Deafblindness in the UK
The Importance of Teachers of the Deaf