Councils fail to provide detailed information on services for blind children

The sight-loss charity found that although 150 of 152 councils have published a “local offer” of services available on their website, much of the information provided was incomplete with 72 not including references to rehabilitation, mobility training or habilitation.

In addition, the research found that just 65 local authorities included some references to the eligibility criteria they used, while 36 per cent provided no further details on the services provided.

Providing a local offer that details the support expected to be available for children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) in an authority became a requirement last September.

Across the UK, around 1,400 children a year lose their sight, which, according to the charity, often leaves families needing access to support, advice and training.

James White, campaigns manager at Blind Children UK, raised concerns into the impact minimal information can have on a child with sight loss.

“If a local offer is difficult to find on a local authority’s website or if it is difficult to search for services offered, then this undermines the important role that it plays in informing families about the services that are available to them,” he said.

“We are hoping to highlight the importance of providing detailed, easily accessible, information about the services available.

“The requirement for local authorities to keep their local offer under review provides an opportunity for this to be built on.”

The charity is calling on the Department for Education to help all children with sight loss receive the support needed to learn habilitation skills.

Reforms to the way the SEND services are delivered by local authorities were a key part of the Children and Families Act, which became law in April 2014.