Welcome to the NatSIP Website
This website offers access to a wealth of SI resources, most of which are now freely available. We encourage you to register on the site for full access to everything we have to offer. Registration is free, and open to anyone. A walkthrough/howto on the registration process is here.
- Written by: Lindsey Jones
Deaf education department colleagues in the University of Manchester have been granted the funding for a PhD for the study on risk and protective factors for deaf children's spoken language. They are now accepting applications. Details are available through this link:
https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/risk-and-protective-factors-to-spoken-language-acquisition-for-deaf-children-in-the-uk/?p172645
- Written by: Katy Mitchell
An exciting new booklet ‘Listening to Learn’ is available from the Ewing Foundation website: https://ewing-foundation.org.uk/listening-to-learn/
Listening to Learn is an e-booklet which is succinct and contains just the key information needed for busy people involved in the education of deaf children.
- It explains what glue ear is and how it can make listening hard work and tiring.
- It outlines the simple steps that can be taken to help children to hear at school.
- It provides information about improving the listening environment.
- Written by: Juliette Taylor
In March 2022 RNIB and VI partner organisations launched the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI). The framework was developed to support children and young people with vision impairment access an appropriate and equitable education, as well as offering a shared vocabulary for children and young people, families and professionals in the UK who work with them. You can access the framework at www.rnib.org.uk/cfvi.
In spring 2023 we circulated email invitations to ALL Local Authorities, Special Schools and Specialist Provisions to take part in an evaluation survey which investigates the implementation of the CFVI across the UK. We are currently undertaking our second round of evaluation, which will focus particularly on any adjustments which may be needed to the CFVI. Please contact Rachel Hewett at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. who will provide you with more information.
- Written by: Laura Hughes
MoorVision and Optelec are delighted to invite you to the UK's first regional VisionZone South-West Exhibition and Conference for Children and Young People with VI, their families and all professionals working in the field.
When: Wednesday 30th October, 10am - 2pm (Autumn half-term)
Where: The Woolwell Centre, Darklake Lane, Woolwell, Plymouth PL6 7TR
Cost: Free
Join us in meeting national and local exhibitors supporting local vision impaired communities among children, young people and students. Our goal is to connect parent/carers, students, and schools with available resources. Experience hands-on activities and discover various products at our events held in the main sports hall, along with talks and shows in the Bickleigh suite.
- Food, drink and activities for children provided and sponsored thanks to the Powell Family Foundation
- Free Parking on site
- Talks - Support, funding, equipment, education & services
- Sensory Show
Exhibitors include:
Clearvision books, Devon Football Association, Devon Insight, Echo, Empatheyes/Angel Eyes, Guide Dogs, Horizons Sailing, HPI International , Improving Lives Plymouth, In Focus, LOOK, MACS, MoorVision, New College Worcester, Optelec, Plymouth Argyle, Plymouth Sensory Support Team, Positive Eye, RNIB, Royal National College for the Blind, SENSIAS Services , Thomas Pocklington Trust, Ushers Kids, VICTA.
This is going to be an amazing opportunity so please save the date!
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.moorvision.org
- Written by: Rebecca Liddiard
Seashell and Sense would like to invite Intervenors to join a free twilight webinar. The session will include a presentation from Sophie Cresswell, Occupational Therapist at Seashell Trust, and an opportunity to network and share experiences.
Tuesday 2nd July 2024 Online via Zoom
3.45pm – 5pm
Sensory Integration
MSI learners face challenges with sensory dysfunction, processing and integrating information from their residual senses. How can we support our learners to be better regulated? Sophie will share ideas on how to support MSI learners.
** Places are limited so book now to avoid disappointment! **
To book please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
The National Deaf Children’s Society have teamed up with the University of Manchester, Aston University and Lancaster University, to find out what the research priorities are in childhood deafness, according to the people with real experience. Children, parents, and professionals working with children with deafnes/hearing loss can all take part. It takes just a few minutes for you to let us know what you think researchers should be working on.
Visit: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/research-priorities
Please spread the word to people around you who care about childhood deafness:
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Discover the latest, innovative practices from across the world at VE2024, the Vibrotactile Conference being held in Manchester this autumn.
Working together Ewing Foundation, University of Manchester and Seashell Trust have invited International speakers, university researchers, leaders in acoustics and manufacturers to demonstrate and discuss how vibrotactile technology is being used for balance, rehabilitation, speech understanding, music, meditation and much more.
The conference will take place on Thursday 24 October 2024, 9am - 4pm at Seashell, Stanley Road, Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, SK8 6RQ, United Kingdom
Details and registration are available through https://www.seashelltrust.org.uk/event/vt2024/
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
NDCS is asking deaf young people aged 16 to 25, parents of deaf children, and professionals working with deaf children to take part in a survey that will help to find out what they think are the most important questions that need to be answered about childhood deafness.
The project team, which includes Aston University, Lancaster University, and University of Manchester, will use the results to create a top 10 list of questions for future research.
The research is supported by NatSIP and sector partners. The survey was launched yesterday and an edition for deaf young people themselves will follow on 21st May.
You can find the survey links on the NDCS website: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/research-priorities and if you have any questions please contact Jenny Chan: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Ian Noon
A new set of Family-Centred Early Intervention (FCEI) principles for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) was published in February in a special edition of the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. There is free access to this at: https://academic.oup.com/jdsde/issue/29/SI
This is an expanded version of an international consensus statement on evidence-based practice, that was first published in 2013 by a consensus team of international experts in early intervention. The revised/expanded Principles have been refreshed with the latest evidence. There has also been a stronger focus on coproduction with family leaders and DHH leaders in the expanded version.
As before, there are ten Principles where there has been found to be strong consensus – these are summarised in this slide.
- Written by: Martin Thacker
The National Deaf Children’s Society is thrilled to announce that My NDCS, a brand-new app for parents of deaf children is available to download for free.
The app is there for every family, no matter their child’s level or type of deafness. To support their child today and as they grow, parents can:
- Explore tailored information and support whenever they need it.
- Read real-life stories from other families and deaf role models.
- Record key moments using the journal.
- Find out about events led by our experts.
Visit the NDCS website for more details and a poster that you can print and share: ndcs.org.uk/my-ndcs-app.
- Written by: Jane Sharp
The latest Freedom of Information reports from RNIB are now available: England 2023 and Northern Ireland 2023.
These reports contain a summary of findings from RNIB's Freedom of Information requests into education service provision for children and young people with a vision impairment.
The new FOI reports are available here: Freedom of Information Reports | RNIB
- Written by: Jane Sharp
RNIB is pleased to announce that their CPD sessions for education professionals for the summer term are now open for booking:
Training for professionals supporting learners with VI | RNIB
- Written by: Ian Noon
Resources from NDCS:
Communication tips for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
This University College London research project looking into the into the role of visual communication in reading development in deaf children is being led by Professor Mairéad MacSweeney & Research Assistant Elisabeth Taunton.
To date the team have recruited 68 deaf 4year olds from around England and are looking to recruit 50 children to join the project who are starting reception in September 2024.
Information about the project can be found at Visual Communication & Reading Development Research Project | Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience - UCL – University College London and the team can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Written by: Lindsey Rousseau
Yesterday (5 March 2024), Guide Dogs held an online launch event for the launch of new Reasonable Adjustments in Schools Guidance.
This guidance, produced in partnership with NatSIP, is designed to help teachers, schools and local authorities ensure that the approximately 41,000 children and young people with vision impairment across the UK have access to better support throughout their education with the same chances and opportunities as their sighted friends.
The guidance is available on the Guide Dogs Website and also in the NatSIP Document Library.
The following country-specific guidance documents are available::
- Written by: Teresa Quail
In light of enquiries coming through to stakeholders (NDCS, BDA, BATOD, Signature, ABSLTA etc) on how to train as a BSL GCSE teacher we have collaborated together on a response to these enquiries in relation to secondary schools in England only.
Firstly, it is exciting that there are enquiries coming through on training to be a BSL GCSE teacher. We recognise the recent media coverage on the BSL GCSE has sparked such interest and we hope this comes to fruition.
There is another consultation by Ofqual on GCSE BSL in 2024; see Signature’s press release. The BDA have also released a press statement calling on the Government to invest in Deaf teachers to deliver the BSL GCSE. Teacher supply and training has been mentioned in the Government response to the consultation (p11-12) which gives further information on the DfE’s views in this matter; suggesting that the current workforce of BSL teachers already teaching BSL in the post-16 education sector could be utilised to teach BSL GCSE, as well as guidance on ITT BSL GCSE training for new trainees.
Page 1 of 3