This factsheet has been designed as a guide for those who have little or no previous knowledge of trusts and how they work.

Sense believes that the principle behind the UK Government’s proposed special educational needs and disability (SEND) reforms in England is sound. We want to see a better system that meets the needs of multi-sensory impaired children, young people and families.

Supporting Success is informed by the views and experiences of parents and practitioners. It looks at some of the key issues that need to be addressed to deliver an effective SEND system for deafblind / multi-sensory impaired children and young people and sets out five key principles that need to be met for reform to be successful.

This report is the second in the Supporting Success series. Its predecessor – Supporting Success: improving the journey for deafblind/multi-sensory-impaired children and young people – was based upon research carried out in 2011 and 2012 with children, young people, parents, practitioners and local authorities.

This report is a record of discussions at the SEND Policy Roundtable Event on 14 June, 2012 – where the first report was launched in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal and Sarah Teather MP, Minister of State for Children and Families.

This event provided an opportunity for parents, professionals, local authority representatives, civil servants and colleagues from the voluntary sector to discuss the challenges – and possible solutions – to providing better support for deafblind/MSI children and young people.

This factsheet outlines the conditions associated with CHARGE.  It is important to emphasise that not all these features are seen in every person with the condition, nor are these problems always severe.

This factsheet describes sight and hearing tests, highlights some of the problems a deafblind or sensory impaired person might have in getting tested and provides advice on how these difficulties can be overcome.