The Vision Support Service supports children and young people from birth up to the age of 25 if they are still in full-time education. Making the move from a school setting to Post-16 education can be a challenge for young people with a vision impairment. However, careful support and planning can make this transition a success and can allow the young person to follow their chosen goals and career path. Our aim is to help each young person feel prepared, capable and confident as they take their next steps into further education, training, apprenticeship or to the workplace.

The Curriculum Framework for VI Area 11 - Preparing for Adulthood

We use the Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment to support young people as they move towards adulthood and life beyond 16. The framework helps us focus on what matters most - building independence, confidence and the skills needed for everyday life. This includes things like getting around safely, using public transport, using technology, communicating with others and expressing their needs confidently. We use the CFVI to shape personalised support and set meaningful goals, working closely with families, schools and other professionals. 

Our Post 16 support can be split into some key areas, including- support for the young person, transition planning, and also support for the new setting.

Support for the young person might include:

  • help choosing the right college, apprenticeship or next steps
  • support with developing independence and self-advocacy skills
  • additional visits to the new setting and for some young people work with the Habilitation and Mobility Specialists within the team
  • contributing to the assessment, monitoring and reporting of needs both formally and informally
  • providing advice on access to the curriculum, target setting and record keeping
  • providing programmes of support including help to promote the use of functional vision and social and emotional interventions
  • attending annual reviews and other multi agency meetings as appropriate
  • providing equipment / ICT support to young people within the setting
  • direct teaching to those who are working on specific skills - e.g. braille, as needed
     

Transition Planning

Transition planning is supporting young people moving through different stages of education, in this case school into college, or college into university. For some young people this could be moving into work.

The VSS team can:

  • provide a range of information to professionals in the new educational setting, so that they are fully informed about the pupil’s individual needs and views
  • lead and attend transition meetings with the pupil, family, current staff and staff from the new setting, as well as their Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment (QTVI) where applicable, to ensure continuity and a successful individualised transition for the pupil
  • enhance planning, we use a structured planning tool to support enhanced, personalised planning by identifying areas of need and clear next steps.  This helps to set focused targets and practical recommendations for each young person’s journey into adulthood

Support for the setting might include:

  • training and advice for staff teams
  • accessibility Audit of the setting, to include environment and curriculum access. Support in how to make adaptations to promote inclusion for young people with a vision impairment

Other support might include:

  • signposting young people, carers, parents and staff to other, relevant agencies

University Higher Education Courses

If you plan to go to University, make sure you visit any settings that you are interested in and speak to the tutors of the course(s) you plan to apply for; importantly try to speak to the disability student support team there. Doing so will help you get a feel for the place and what it has to offer you, particularly what sort of support for your vision impairment needs the University can provide. 

You can apply for the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA), and you should do so as soon as you apply for a place. This will ensure equipment and adjustments are sorted as early as possible and are in place when you commence your course.

Employment

If you are planning on moving into a position of paid employment, you can apply for Access to Work (ATW) support. This can help pay for equipment or reasonable adjustments that you may need. Reading about ATW and applying early will help with a smooth transition into new placements.

For careers support (specific to young people with vision impairment), there are some great companies out there offering help, training and advice. 

These are:

Paid Internships for Young People with Vision Impairment

If you are interested in a paid internship for young people with a vision impairment, three sight loss charities: RNIB, Look UK, and TPT have joined forces to provide opportunities just for you.

Social Care Involvement

Social Care involvement for Post 16 is crucial for supporting children with vision impairment as they transition into adulthood. Some key aspects of social care involvement are:

  • preparing young people for adulthood, including health, community inclusion, employment and independent living
  • transition support is available to assist young people through their journey from school to further and higher education and employment

Various resources and guidance are available to support young people with vision impairment in their transition.

Post 16 useful resources and links

 If you need any further advice on moving to post-18 opportunities, please ask your Qualified Teacher of Vision Impairment (QTVI).