Sensory Impairment 

• Hearing Impairment

• Visual Impairment 

• Multi-Sensory Impairment/Deafblindness​​​​​​

The STLS Sensory Service provide an open referral system for these three types of sensory impairment.  Diagnostic information from Audiology and/or Ophthalmology will be required to support a referral.  

Please use the form attached at the bottom of this page to request a professional consultation or specialist intervention.

If you would like further information about services for hearing impairment,  visual impairment or multi-sensory impairment/deafblindness the professionals listed below will be able to help.

For Hearing Impairment please contact:

West & North Kent – Sue Holder, HI Coordinator - Referrals  Tel: 07825 013351 or email sue.holder@kent.gov.uk 

East & South Kent – Jo Clarke, HI Coordinator - Referrals Tel: 07825 380152 or email jo.clarke@kent.gov.uk

Clare Taylor, Hearing Impairment Coordinator – Training  Tel: 07540 677036 or email clare.taylor@kent.gov.uk

For Visual Impairment please contact:

Jennie Russell, Visual Impairment Coordinator - Referrals  Tel:  07795 151364, email jennie.russell@kent.gov.uk  

​Lisa Bell, Visual Impairment Coordinator - Training  Tel: 07917 224205, email lisa.bell@kent.gov.uk

For MSI/Deafblind please contact:

Hannah Downs, MSI Coordinator Tel: 07989 671120, email hannah.downs@kent.gov.uk 

What happens following a referral?

• You will be telephoned by a teacher with a specialist qualification in HI, VI or MSI.
• Your referral may lead to information, signposting or telephone advice to your child’s preschool or school.
• For children and young people with moderate, severe or profound bilateral sensory impairment specialist teaching will be provided in early years and state-funded mainstream schools.
• Specialist teaching is provided in the early years at home and in preschools.
• Specialist teaching is provided in schools which are state-funded mainstream schools, including academies and free schools.
• Services to maintained Special Schools are part of a bespoke package of support agreed in liaison with the Sensory Link professional at your child’s Special School.