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Croydon Sensory Support Service (CSSS)

This service is available for children and young people (CYP) with diagnosed deafness or hearing loss or visual impairment, from 0 to 25 years. It is fully funded for all maintained, academy and free schools in the borough as well as early years' settings.

The staff are specialist teachers of the deaf, teachers of the visually impaired, habilitation officers and specialist teaching assistants. All staff have enhanced DBS clearance, and work within the safeguarding procedures of the local authority and the settings in which they work.

CSSS offers assessment, advice and individualised educational intervention to support CYP. It also supports pre-school children and their families from diagnosis.

Referrals

CYP can be referred by health, schools/settings, other professionals or families. Referrals must be with parental consent. A CSSS referral form should be completed. 

Hearing

CSSS will accept referrals for children with:

  • bilateral (two-sided) mild to profound hearing loss; sensorineural or permanent conductive
    (British Association of Teachers of the Deaf - BATOD criteria)

  • unilateral (one-sided) severe to profound hearing loss; sensorineural or permanent conductive

CSSS will accept all referrals initially made via the Newborn Hearing Screening programme.

CSSS does not accept referrals for CYP with temporary conductive hearing impairment e.g. as a result of glue ear. CSSS may be able to provide a one-off advisory visit to support the setting in managing the aids, subject to service capacity.

Vision

CSSS will accept referrals for CYP with:

  • a medically diagnosed visual impairment affecting both eyes which cannot be fully corrected with spectacles or contact lenses to within normal limits

  • a reduced visual acuity of 6/12 or less

  • a significant reduction in the child or student’s visual field

For referrals which lie outside these thresholds, the service may be able to offer signposting to useful resources or telephone advice.

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)

This service has a limited offer for CYP with a confirmed diagnosis of APD. A CSSS referral form should be completed with parental consent.

Settings are encouraged to contact the service prior to referral to discuss individual cases as appropriate.

For all accepted referrals, CSSS will provide an initial specialist intervention which
will consist of some or all of the following:

  • interpretation and explanation of medical information and diagnosis
  • production of an auditory Access Plan
  • consultation with SENCO
  • consultation with the family.
  • signposting to useful resources and information
  • trial and evaluation of specialist equipment
  • support to source and purchase specialist equipment for long term use

Please note that there may be a waiting list to trial specific equipment recommended following diagnosis, although we are likely to be able to source an alternative equipment package.

How to get in touch

You can contact CSSS in any of the following ways:

Phone: 0208 726 6000 ext. 23951 or ext. 24638

Email: sensorysupportservice@croydon.gov.uk

Address: Croydon Sensory Support Service, 90 Central Parade, New Addington, CR0 0JB

Sensory Service Leadluisa.saddington@croydon.gov.uk

Lead for Visual Impairment: rowena.o'brien@croydon.gov.uk

Lead for Hearing Loss: alexandra.haxton@croydon.gov.uk and jennifer.lovelock@croydon.gov.uk


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