Are there any SENCO's here with experience of children with Visual Impairments? (Amongst other needs?!)

[doubleshotespresso]

Context is primary school, for my DC who is due to enter year 1 in September....

New class has been completely mixed up, no consultation though I've got a meeting next week and any transition details despite repeated requests are yet to be provided.
On top of this the work station which has worked so well in the last year is in a tiny classroom, right at the back, with chair located facing back towards the class and teacher.
30 children within the class but the one who cannot see gets shoved to the back- how can they do this???

It's like I've been spelling out the blindingly (forgive the pun) obvious for a year and STILL they're not getting it. I've got nothing left to give anymore....

Anybody got any advice please?

What VI need does your DC have if you don’t mind me asking?

Do you have any professionals involved? In my LA, all children with VI are entitled to assessment and possibly ongoing support from the VI team.

Are they on the SEN register? I would hope so, in which case could you get a doctor involved and ask them to make the recommendations that they sit at the front, face on to the board, relevant font size, appropriate back lighting etc (that really are common sense for a child with a VI). It can then be added to a SEN plan.

Thanks for your reply, yes registered as SEN, yes had brilliant support from the local VI team who have repeatedly made some brilliant recommendations. I've also had support from other organisations such as SENDIASS.
There is a lot of provision in place and pending in terms of support, I just fail to understand how they think they can do this after the relentless year our child has had, along with the endless meetings, medical records and observations provided it's staggering.
VI is quite rare but surgery options are very much something we have to wait a few years for until eyes have developed.
I'm so upset and thin DC will be really unsettled and distressed by this. When I queried it today they basically said there's no room anywhere else?!? Which basically means she will miss most of the group learning activities .

Sorry pressed too soon. Just to confirm there is a plan and a wealth of expert reports in place so how they came to this idea at all is so worrying

If she is going to miss the group learning activities then they are not making reasonable adjustments to meet the needs created by her disability.

What does the workstation look like? Could the VI team help to create an alternative station that they could use? Can the VI team not come in and put pressure on the school? I’m surprised that SENDIAS have not been able to help.

On a different note, would the VI mean that they would need assistance to get out in the event of a fire? Is the back of the classroom actually safe if so?

I would contact the local authority and ask for a representative to come and help.

And failing that, it has to be an official complaint I think.

I only found out today as unbelievably when they break up in a week this is the first time they've met the new teacher or even seen the new classroom which sort of renders the whole "transition" process a bit pointless as far as I can see. But then I've no idea what standard procedure is for this stuff.

I'll definitely be seeking support from professionals already involved but just thought I'd try on here to see if anybody from a school decision making perspective could offer an opinion as that's the one area I'm desperately trying to get my head around! They're very positive the team in place and she's as a great year but my god it's been soooo stressful getting to this point and today showed me they still don't seem to have grasped things as I'd hoped.
I will persevere thanks so much for your suggestions

I’m a SENCO and transition this late in the day is not the norm. Also, putting a child with VI needs at the back of the class would be a big no no for me

Keep pushing against the school,

Aaaahhh really? Thanks so much for your advice. i have contacted some relevant organisations and experts for their support, all very helpful.

I have written a detailed email to the head and the SENCO and now have a meeting scheduled.

I saw this and thought of you. Just swap out the disabilities and this is exactly what they are (not) doing...