Information for Professionals

Thomasson Memorial Sensory Support Service is based at Thomasson Memorial School. Thomasson Memorial is the centre of a multi facility provision which caters for children with a sensory impairment. Thomasson Sensory Support Service Multisensory Impairment, consists of a teacher who has undertaken the mandatory qualification for Multisensory Impairment (QTMSI) alongside Qualified Teachers for Visual Impairment (QTVI) and Teachers of the Deaf (ToD). You can find out more about Multisensory Impairment on the Sense website https://www.sense.org.uk/get-support/information-and-advice/conditions/what-is-deafblindness/

In accordance with the local authority SEND support for schools The Local Offer https://www.bolton.gov.uk/special-educational-needs-disabilities/special-educational-needs-%E2%80%93-local-offer also available to view through https://www.mylifeinbolton.org.uk/send.aspx  Thomasson Memorial Sensory Support Service can provide assessments, advice and training regarding the nature, effects and impact of multisensory impairment. In addition we can offer specialist teaching sessions, where appropriate, for pupils who have a multisensory impairment.

The team is involved with pupils and students who have a range of multisensory impairments. This support is available from diagnosis to 25 years of age.

Services offered

• Initial and ongoing assessment of sensory needs.
• Administration and analysis of specialist assessments in relation to communication, vision, hearing and cognition.
• Bespoke advice, guidance, support and training to educational settings.
• Recommendations for equipment and teaching strategies.
• Direct teaching support in educational settings.
• Collaborative working with educational settings to establish SMART Targets.
• Provision of reports e.g. EHCP contributions, Early Help Assessments. You can find out more about these on the following website;

• Collaborative working with parents, schools and other agencies e.g. Paediatric Audiology, Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy.
• Supporting children and young people to learn independent life skills.
• Offering advice in relation to mobility, incorporating support from a habilitation specialist where appropriate.
• Supporting learners and settings to ensure smooth transition processes including contributing to transition plans.
• Direct support to pre-school children and families in a variety of settings including the home.
• Working alongside, signposting to and close links with other services and agencies.

Learners with Multisensory Impairment are a diverse group who require an individual approach to the support. The support offered will be based on a range of factors including the outcomes of functional sensory assessments and formal testing along with the Natsip criteria and professional judgement. You can download the Natsip eligibility criteria using the following link;

Referral to the Service

Most children and young people are referred through medical professionals. Many children will be known to us before they enter school.

If staff are concerned about a pupil’s multisensory impairment, parents should be advised to take the pupil to their GP or asked for their permission to refer the pupil to the school nurse. If a multisensory impairment is confirmed the pupil will be referred to the Sensory Support Service by the relevant Health Professionals.