You can start investigating the options for your child's schooling at any time. It's helpful to start the special educational needs assessment process before choosing a school - contact your local authority about this.
What are the options?
Most children with complex needs go to special schools within their local authority. In exceptional circumstances, however, children sometimes attend residential schools further from home.
Each local authority has its own approach to educating children with sight problems and complex needs. Ask your local authority for information about the special educational needs provision where you live, and arrange to visit the schools that may suit your child's needs.
Starting early
It's never too early to begin exploring the educational opportunities for your child. Many children with sight problems and complex needs benefit from starting school or nursery at an early age. Some children begin on a part-time basis when they are two or three years old.
Who should I contact?
An important contact is your local authority's qualified teacher for visually impaired children (QTVI) or Visual Impairment Teaching Service.
Your QTVI can guide you through the process of choosing and starting school, and the assessment process. Many Visual Impairment Services offer support in the early years, sometimes from birth.
For details of your local service or teacher, phone the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.
Assessing your child's educational needs
If your child has complex needs, their special educational needs will be assessed to help decide which school will be best, and to make sure that any extra support (such as a teaching assistant), equipment or specialist help can be provided.
A formal assessment of your child's educational needs can take place any time after the age of two years, or even earlier if you make a specific request. This will be co-ordinated by the Children's Services Team of your local authority.
Who's involved?
All of the professionals involved in caring for and helping your child can contribute to this assessment process. These include the ophthalmologist (consultant eye specialist), other hospital specialists, health visitor, speech and language therapist, physiotherapist, visual impairment teacher and social worker.
How assessment works
You will also be asked to contribute to the assessment process. You can write down your views about the strengths, abilities and special needs of your child.
If your child has complex needs, it's likely that the assessment will result in a statement of special educational needs (SEN), which describes your child's needs and how the education authority proposes to meet them. This statement will be reviewed annually throughout your child's education.
Special schools
Special schools cater for pupils who have special educational needs. These needs may relate to physical, learning, hearing or visual difficulties; to social emotional and behavioural difficulties; or to autistic spectrum disorders.
Some special schools are very specific about the needs for which they cater. Others are more generic and have pupils with a range of diverse needs.
Your child must have a statement of SEN to attend a special school, but could be assessed at one before their statement is finalised.
About mainstream, special and residential schools