Your Child's Education

Most children with special needs will attend a mainstream school, although some children may attend a special school. Choosing a school can be difficult, and it will be useful for you to:

• Collect all the information on possible schools
• Visit the schools and talk to the Headteacher and, if possible, the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO)
• Talk to your LEA

Ask for help - never assume that support will be automatic

Wherever possible, children with special needs attend a mainstream school provided that:

• Parents' views are considered
• The child's needs can be met
• It is an efficient use of resources and there are sufficient resources to meet the child's needs
• The education of other children in the class will not be disrupted

The National Blind Childrens Society can give you advice and information to support you and to help you to overcome the consequences of visual impairment, from birth, right through the school years and into further education, including advice on school provision and support available.

The National Blind Childrens Society will help you to speak to the right personnel. This may be the Health Visitor, the Social Worker for the blind/visually impaired in your area, the Rehabilitation Officer, as well as your Advisory Teacher for Visual impairment.

We can also tell you about:

• The educational provision your child should receive
• What rights your child has (different according to age over or under 2 years)
• Your child's right to inclusion
• The right to partnership