Our Future Matters

The Young Vision Alliance Parents, young people sector organisations RNIB, Guide Dogs, Hab VI UK , Moorvision, Nystagmus Network, Royal National College for the Blind (RCB), RSBC, TPT, VICTA, VIEW and Vision UK. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

The aim of the alliance To make sure no child with vision impairment is left behind. Campaign for better educational provision and outcomes for children and young people with vision impairment in England. To speak with one voice.

Why now? Vision impaired young people aged 16 – 25 are twice as likely to not be in employment, education or training as their peer group. The proportion of registered blind and partially sighted people of working age in all employment has fallen from one in three in 2005 to around one in four in 2015

What we have done so far: 1. ‘Our Future Matters’ 2. Education Select Committees SEND review 3. Parliamentary and MP engagement

1. Our Future Matters This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Report headlines 1 in 3 local authorities cut their spending on services for CYP with vision impairment over a 12-month period from 2016/17 to 2017/18. At least 700 pupils with vision impairment support reduced during the same 12 months. Over a third of local authorities who had provided comparable data for 2017 to 2018 saw a decrease in the number of QTVIs.

Continued….. decrease in QTVIs and TAs employed by local authorities. of those QTVIs still in place, 13% have double the average caseload – in excess of 100 children. most local authorities had less than one full-time equivalent qualified habilitation specialist

Continued A survey of parents found that: 47% had been forced to challenge poor educational provision because their child wasn’t getting the support they needed. Some had taken them out of school as a result and several had resorted to expensive and lengthy legal action.

We are calling on government: To ensure that every child and young person with vision impairment; 1. Is assessed by education and habilitation VI specialists and given a plan, upon diagnosis, which is reviewed regularly. This plan must define the specialist support required to enable the child to fully access their learning and develop their independence.

Continued… 2. Has access to the same learning materials at the same time as their sighted peers, fully adapted to their needs. 3. Receives clearly and appropriately adapted national tests and exam papers of high quality, with relevant past papers freely available.

We are calling on the Government: To ensure that every local authority; 4. Requires all school staff who support and teach children and young people with vision impairment to receive vision impairment awareness training from an appropriately qualified specialist. 5. Is given sufficient funding to provide and effectively manage appropriate numbers of QTVIs and QHSs to meet the needs of all children and young people with vision impairment, as defined by national standards.

2. Education Select Committee Submitted written evidence Parent invited to provide oral evidence and provide further written evidence This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

3. Parliamentary activity Attended by young people and parents Lords and MPs came to find out more Follow up work with MPs

What next? Communications and parliamentary strategy. Key consultations, i.e. OFSTED Key events: Reporting on Mandatory qualification Gaps analysis Select committee report

How to get involved: Write to your MP Tell us your story We want to hear the stories and experiences of young people and their carers and families Follow us on social media #YoungVisionAlliance Tell us your ideas of how you would like to be involved Photo opportunity

Any Questions

Contact details Tara Chattaway, Policy Manager: Tara.Chattaway@Pocklington-trust.org.uk Chrissie Pepper, Policy Manager: Chrissie.pepper@rnib.org.uk George Holroyd, Parent: Glynville@btinternet.com

For further information https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/young-vision-alliance/ https://www.rnib.org.uk/campaigning-current-campaigns-children- and-education/protecting-local-vision-services-children-and https://viewweb.org.uk/view-statement-on-the-key-issues-for-vi- education-in-england/