Children with special educational needs secure ‘crucial’ eye care support in day and residential special schools

The Government and NHS England have announced that children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities will be offered NHS funded sight tests in day or residential special schools and colleges in England, in addition to hearing and dental checks, which will be offered in residential schools.

The announcement follows a pilot programme of the Special Schools Eye Care Service (SSECS) which was implemented in special schools across England in 2022 and was extended in 2023 to 2024.

Research on the issue carried out by the Association of Optometrists with its members last year found:

• 65% of UK optometrists said they believe that many SEN children are ‘experiencing a lower quality of life’ due to inadequate provision of NHS eye care services
• 40% of all children in special schools require glasses but many of those with severe learning difficulties find it highly distressing to have an examination in a hospital, eye clinic or at a High Street opticians.

Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the Association of Optometrists said: “We welcome the announcement that children with special educational needs will be able to access sight tests in day or residential schools, which will significantly reduce the barriers to accessing eye care for these children. Children with special educational needs are 28 times more likely to have a serious sight condition, and they face real challenges in accessing eye care due to the potential for anxiety or distress when getting their sight tested in unfamiliar settings. Having annual sight checks in their school will ensure they can access the crucial eye care they require, with eye conditions identified and treated as soon as possible.

“Through our Sight for SEN campaign, we have supported the implementation of the SSECS from the outset. We have consistently campaigned for greater access to eye care for all children attending special schools to address the health inequalities impacting children with special educational needs. We know how necessary eye health checks are for children in both day and residential special schools and we will continue to support this vital service which makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the children and their families.

“As much as it’s a promising announcement which will benefit thousands of pupils, necessary discussions now need to be had to ensure the best delivery of the service is possible for providers. Without clarity on the provisions, eye care providers could find it difficult to offer the service, deepening inequalities in the consistency of the delivery of the service.”

As part of its Sight for SEN campaign the AOP promotes the importance of SSECS to ensure long-term delivery of the service.

Ends

For more information, please contact Anjola Sulaiman, PR and Media Executive, at the Association of Optometrists,[email protected]or telephone 020 7549 2062.

Notes to Editors

Case study quotes from a parent and teacher relying on the SSECS

Donna Nye, mum to Archie

“Archie used to attend the eye clinic at the hospital. Even being at the hospital, these clinics never really met Archie’s needs, and were very stressful as loud noises startle Archie and set him off into a seizure. We were then discharged from the clinic meaning Archie had no one to check his eyes. That was when we heard about the service at Greenvale School.

“It was a huge relief to know that Archie’s eyes would be looked after by someone who understood his needs and also felt they could help. Archie now wears glasses and it’s made such a difference to him. He’s so much more inquisitive of the world around him and holds his head up to look at things for a much longer period of time.

“As a parent, I'm relieved to know this is one less thing I have to worry about and one less appointment we have to take him out of school to attend. It has made a massive difference to our lives. Every SEN child should have support like this.”

Aaron Collins, Deputy Headteacher at Greenvale School, London

“This service is changing the lives of children in our school. Children who otherwise wouldn’t have access to eye care are able to have a regular sight test by a team they know, in a setting they know, and be prescribed glasses. Being able to see properly really does change their world.”

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visitwww.aop.org.uk