1. National Sensory Impairment Partnership update 5th Feb 2013
VCS DfE grant funding activities 2011 – 2013:
Outcomes benchmarking
Effective practice and Quality Standards
Workforce development
Emotional Resilience
Equality and Access

2. Other NatSIP activities
Policy group
SEN Pathfinder pilots
Future sustainability of NatSIP
HoSS
Case studies and publications on issues raised by NatSIP partners
NatSIP website development
Work with SEC, CDC,etc

3. DfE invitation to tender (by 4th Jan 2013) for a new contract to provide a national advice and support service for sensory impairments: “The proposed contract would seek to expand our national approach to helping deaf, blind and multi-sensory impaired children across the majority of local authorities and to provide sector-led support to ensure that sensory support services are able to provide an effective service to all schools that need it. The contract will also cover specific measure to develop the support available for children using sign-language.”

4.
Preferred bidder for DfE SI contract will be known “early February”
Whatever the outcome for NatSIP it will be “business as usual” - working together with partners to improve outcomes for children and young people with sensory impairment in the changing environment

5. Diary dates NatSIP working day – next date:
Tuesday 4th June (Hamilton House)
HoSS one day meeting event:
“The Emerging Picture”
Tuesday 18th June in Birmingham