Hearing Impaired (STARS)

Sensory Teaching, Advisory and Resources service, Hearing Impaired - is staffed by Teachers of the Deaf who are specially trained in working with children who have an educationally significant hearing loss, Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder, or MSI (multi-sensory impairment) which has been confirmed by a qualified paediatric audiologist or ENT consultant. It provides support for children and young people from birth up to the age of 25.
Who to contact
- Contact Name
- Kirsty Sanger
- Contact Position
- Manager of Hearing Impaired Service
- Telephone
- 01642 354354
- admin_Stars@middlesbrough.gov.uk
- Website
- Hearing Impaired Service on Middlesbrough Council website
- Notes
Fax: 01642 354356
SMS: 07825358104
Where to go
- Name
- Sensory Support Centre
- Address
-
Whinney Banks Primary School
Fakenham Avenue
Middlesbrough
- Postcode
- TS5 4QQ
- Notes
Our offices are up a flight of stairs, and are not wheelchair accessible. An alternative venue can be arranged for a meeting if required.
Time / Date Details
- When is it on
- Open Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm during School Term Times (Office not staffed on Friday afternoons)
Other Details
Availability
- Referral required
- Yes
- Referral Details
The Service accepts referrals from ENT consultants and paediatric audiologists. Parents and schools that have concerns about a child's hearing are advised that the child should visit their GP to discuss a referral to ENT/Audiology. The Service is able to provide informal advice to parents and schools at this stage.
ENT consultants and paediatric audiologists refer children to the Service who they consider to have an educationally significant hearing loss. Such children have a
- Confirmed sensorineural hearing loss
- Persistent bilateral conductive hearing loss, which is not being treated surgically
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
ENT consultants and paediatric audiologists refer children to the Service who they consider to have an educationally significant hearing loss. Such children have a
- Confirmed sensorineural hearing loss
- Persistent bilateral conductive hearing loss, which is not being treated surgically
- Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Children with the following hearing difficulties would not routinely be referred:
- Unilateral conductive losses
- Intermittent conductive losses
- Persistent bilateral losses due to be treated surgically.
Following the initial assessment visit by a Teacher of the Deaf, a decision will be made whether or not it is appropriate for the child to be placed on the Service caseload. At this stage advice/INSET is freely available to schools.
- Other notes
British Sign Language BSL
BSL tuition for families of pre-school deaf children is available on request. The Hearing Impaired Service commissions a local company to provide this support. Families can request this by contacting the Hearing Impaired Service or by speaking to their Teacher of the Deaf.
Assistive Technology
A central budget held by the Hearing Impaired Service is used to fund equipment. All children are assessed at least annually to determine their functional hearing levels. If the results suggest that the child is struggling to hear in a classroom environment, they will be considered for issue of a Roger system. If appropriate, these are issued to schools free of charge, and maintained by the Hearing Impaired Service. Technology is updated regularly by the Service. Schools and parents can request an assessment for equipment by contacting the Hearing Impaired Service.
Local Offer
- Description
-
Aims of the Service
- Ensure that the audiological requirements of the pupil are met
- Work in collaboration with parents, teachers, support staff and all other relevant agencies to ensure that pupils with a hearing loss are fully included and have full access to a broad and balanced curriculum
- Promote effective communication
- Ensure acceptance of deaf identity
- Advise on appropriate special arrangements for formal and informal examinations and assessments including SATs and GCSE exams etc
- Work in partnership with parents/carers so they can play an active role in their child's development
- Promote a positive attitude towards deafness so that deaf children and young people have the confidence to reach their full potential
- Contact Name
- Kirsty Sanger
- Contact Telephone
- 01642 354354
- Contact Email
- inga_rayner@middlesbrough.gov.uk
- Local Offer Age Bands
-
11 -16 Years
16 -19 Years
5 -11 Years - SEN Provision Type
- Specialist