Qualified Teacher of Mutli-Sensory Impairment

Role of MSI Teacher 

A Qualified Teacher of Children and Young People with Multi-Sensory Impairment (QTMSI) is a specialist teacher who supports children and young people who have combined vision impairment and deafness. This is sometimes called dual sensory loss or deafblindness.

The QTMSI considers the combined impact of vision impairment and deafness on a child or young person’s communication, access to information, mobility and independence.

The QTMSI works closely with the child/young person’s Qualified Teacher of Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (QTVI) and Qualified Teacher of Deaf Children and Young People (QToD), combining their specialist knowledge. They also work collaboratively with families, teachers, therapists and other professionals involved in supporting the child or young person.

Eligibility

The service supports all children and young people with vision impairment and/or deafness from birth to 25 years. The CYP should live within the boroughs of Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea (RBKC) or Westminster or attend a school, nursery or setting within the borough. 

If the child or young people does not live or attend a school/nursery/setting in the bi-borough please contact the team lead (see details below).

The service is free to all children and young people with vision impairment and/or deafness in bi-borough maintained schools, to all children under 5 and to all Bi-borough residents who have vision impairment and/or deafness written in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Referral Process

Referrals can be made by schools, the local authority, health professionals or families.

To make a referral please complete this referral form and email to with 'MSI referral' in the subject line.

Useful Links

Deafblind UK – information, advice and support for children, young people and families affected by deafblindness, including parent support groups and practical support.

Usher Kids UK – specialist information, support and connections for children and young people with Usher syndrome and their families.

Sense – information and advice about deafblindness/MSI, including a particularly useful Introduction to deafblindness for parents, covering communication, environmental adjustments and supporting independence.