Low Incidence Needs Team (LINT)
The Low Incidence Needs Team (LINT) is part of the SEN Inclusion Team and includes the areas of hearing, vision, multi-sensory impairment and physical and/or medical needs, all of which provide support to pre-school children and young people in education aged (0-25) with sensory impairment in Gateshead. Specialist teachers and support staff hold the necessary mandatory qualifications in the areas of:
- Hearing impairment (HI)
- Vision impairment (VI)
- Multi-sensory impairment (MSI)
- Physical and/or medical needs (PMN)
LINT provide services which may include home teaching for pre-school children and teaching support for school-age children and young people, information and advice on a child or young person's sensory impairment or physical/medical needs and its implications, support with hearing/vision assessments and technologies, assistance with access to specialist equipment, teaching in sign language and Braille if appropriate and supporting access to participation in leisure and social activities outside of school.
Hearing Impairment (HI)
The team consists of specialist mandatory qualified teachers of the D/deaf (QToD) and specialist sensory teaching assistants (SSTAs), a highly specialist speech and language therapist (SALT) and a specialist sensory learning mentor.
Vision Impairment (VI)
The team consists of specialist mandatory qualified teachers (QTVI) and specialist sensory teaching assistants (SSTAs), a Habilitation Specialist and a specialist sensory learning mentor.
Multi-sensory Impairment (MSI)
The team consists of a specialist mandatory qualified teacher (QTMSI) and specialist sensory teaching assistants (SSTAs) who are trained as Intervenors. There is joint working with specialists from the areas of hearing and vision impairment appropriate to each individual child or young person's needs.
Physical and/or Medical Needs (PMN)
There is a specialist teacher who provides advice and guidance to schools and settings, There is close joint working with colleagues in health such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and nursing staff.