Education - WISENDSS - Sensory and Physical Difficulties Team

The Sensory and Physical Difficulties Team supports children and young people from birth up to the age of 25 who have sensory or physical needs. 

The team is made up of a range of trained specialists, including Advisory Teachers, Educational Audiologists, Deaf Instructors, Habilitation Specialists, an Occupational Therapist, and Specialist Support Officers.

They work with schools, colleges and other education settings to support children and young people with:

• Vision (sight) impairment
• Hearing impairment (including deafness)
• Multi-sensory impairment
• Physical difficulties

The team also works closely with health services to make sure support is joined up and mmets each young person's wider needs. 

How the team supports

The team helps education settings to:

• Understand a young person's needs
• Set appropriate outcomes and goals
• Identify strategies and interventions to reduce barriers to learning

Areas of advice and support

The team can provide advice and guidance on:

• Reasonable adjustments within education settings
• Effective learning strategies
• Adaptations to buildings and environments
• Use of specialist equipment
• Safe moving and handling techniques

The overall aim is to improve access to learning and promote inclusion for all pupils.

Accessing the service

Education settings can request support by contacting WISENDSS to ask for a referral form. Parental consent is required. Referrals can also be made by health professionals. 

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is not required to access support from the team. 

Email: WISENDSS@wakefield.gov.uk (Monday to Thursday, Term Time Only)