Sensory Inclusion Service (SIS)
The Sensory Inclusion Service (SIS) is a joint service between Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council and Health. We support children and young people who have a hearing loss and/or visual loss.
We aim to provide a wide range of support to ensure children and young people have:
a good quality of life
achieve their academic potential
are included in their local community
SIS is made up of two teams of educational specialists: Hearing Inclusion (HI) and Visual Inclusion (VI).
Hearing Inclusion Team:
Lead Teachers: Ruth Lawton and Nichola Coombes
Teachers of the Deaf: Mary Brotherton, Christina Graham, Rachel King, Eleanor Miles, Hazel Power, Helen Robertson, Hazel Snape and Alison Taylor.
Technician: Mark Rutter
Visual Inclusion Team:
Lead Teacher: Gill Dorricott
Qualified Teachers of Children and Young People with Visual Impairments (QTVI): Sarah Hovington, Rob Tipton, Louise Kitson and Emma Jeffries
Technical Officer: Claire Wilson
Access Support Assistants: Carla McGowan, Deja McGowan and Shannon Williams
Sensory Inclusion Facilitator (HI and VI): Nichola Clarke
SIS supports children and young people with hearing and/or visual difficulties and their families from birth to 25 (if they are still in Further Education).
The amount of support or involvement we have depends on the level of need, which can change over time. We use the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) eligibility framework to guide decisions about levels of support. For some children this may mean weekly support and for some this may mean a monitoring yearly visit.
We support children and young people and their families from the moment of diagnosis, until they leave further education. We support:
At home (particularly in the Early Years)
In Early Years settings
In Educational Settings
In Further Education (6th forms and colleges)
Our work includes:
Assessment and identification of needs (including supporting the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments and Annual Reviews).
Advice, support and training to ensure educational settings know how to meet the needs of children and young people with hearing and/or visual impairments.
Working 1:1 with children and young people, which may include some direct teaching where appropriate.
Advising educational settings about planning, modifications of materials and support strategies (depending on level of need).
We accept referrals primarily from health agencies. If you are a parent or educational setting and would like clarification around whether your child/a child you support should be referred to SIS, please contact SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk and a member of the team will be happy to advise you.
Phone - 01952 385269
Email - sendandinclusion@telford.gov.uk
Last updated : 12 October 2026