In this episode of Focus In, host Cameron Mills is joined by Sonia Pidduck, Admissions and Reviews Manager at InFocus College, for an in-depth conversation about navigating post-16 options and applying to specialist colleges.

Together, they explore:

• When families should start thinking about post-school pathways

• What a specialist college is and who it’s designed for

• How to research and compare different colleges

• What happens during visits and assessments

• How Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) work after school

• How to nominate a chosen college

• Common challenges families face – and practical ways to manage them

• Where to find trusted advice and up-to-date SEND guidance

Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or are already partway through the admissions journey, this episode offers clear, practical insight to help you feel informed and more confident.

If you have questions about specialist post-16 provision or the admissions process, this conversation is for you.

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For more information on InFocus Charity: www.infocus-charity.org.uk

CVI is one of the most common causes of vision impairment in children, yet it is still widely misunderstood. In this conversation, Cameron and Dr Waddington discuss how CVI affects visual processing, how it differs from ocular conditions, and what families and professionals need to know when navigating concerns about a child’s vision.

The episode provides clear, practical insight for parent carers, educators and professionals supporting children with additional needs.

Topics covered include:

• What CVI is and how it affects the way the brain processes visual information
• How common CVI is among children with vision impairment
• When parents or professionals might first notice signs that something is not typical
• Medical conditions and disabilities that are often associated with CVI
• Early indicators that may suggest a child has CVI
• The first steps to take if CVI is suspected
• What the diagnostic process involves
• How long a diagnosis can take
• What typically happens once a diagnosis is made
• The practical and emotional impact of a CVI diagnosis on a child and their family
• What support is available following diagnosis
• Practical day to day strategies parents and carers can use at home
• How schools and education settings can adapt to better support children with CVI
• What the future might look like for a child growing up with CVI

This episode aims to bring clarity and reassurance to families who may be at the beginning of their journey, as well as to professionals who want to deepen their understanding of CVI and how best to respond.

The conversation unpacks what specialist colleges actually are, who they are best suited to, and how they differ from mainstream post-school options. Catherine shares insight drawn from extensive experience in specialist education, offering clarity and reassurance for families and professionals navigating post-16 and post-19 pathways.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• What defines a specialist college and how it operates
• Why specialist colleges are so important for young people with additional needs
• Which students tend to thrive in specialist college environments
• How the application and admissions process works in practice
• How specialist colleges prepare young people for adulthood and greater independence
• What a specialist college curriculum typically includes, and how it differs from mainstream provision
• How specialist colleges fit within the wider post-school education landscape
• What specialist colleges can offer that mainstream settings often can’t
• The impact specialist education can have on confidence, skills and long-term outcomes
• Day and residential provision, and how residential education can support learning and independence
• Addressing common family anxieties around residential education
• A real-life example of a former student who has flourished after leaving InFocus College
• Advice for families currently exploring post-school options
• The transformation often seen from arrival to leaving college
• How families’ perspectives change as they see their young person progress

This episode is designed to support parent/carers, educators and professionals who want a clearer understanding of specialist colleges and the opportunities they can offer young people with SEND and vision impairment.

For more information on InFocus College

In this first episode of Focus In, we explore why understanding vision impairment is essential when supporting learners with complex and multiple needs.

In this episode, Cameron speaks with Nic Smith, Deputy Head of InFocus College, to explore the realities of vision impairment in specialist schools and colleges, and the difference that informed, specialist support can make. The discussion covers the wide range of vision impairments commonly seen in specialist settings, alongside the day-to-day challenges learners may face when vision impairment intersects with other disabilities.

We explore how vision impairment can affect not only learning and access to the curriculum, but also social development, independence, confidence, and emotional wellbeing. The conversation considers where vision impairment fits when a learner has multiple or complex needs - particularly when other needs may appear more visible or urgent.

The episode highlights the value of specialist VI knowledge and input, sharing practical ways education settings can adapt environments, teaching approaches, and communication methods to better support learners with vision impairment. We also discuss the role of assistive technology and the tools that are currently making a meaningful difference for students.

For parents and carers, we talk through what to look for when choosing a specialist school or college for a child with vision impairment and additional needs, and how settings like InFocus College are designed to provide the right level of expertise, flexibility, and holistic support.

Finally, we share real-world examples of how the right support can help learners with vision impairment thrive, along with practical advice for teachers and support staff who are new to working with students with VI.

For more information on InFocus College

Across the series, we explore topics that matter to parent/carers and professionals, offering clear, experience-led insight from those working directly in the field. Each episode draws on InFocus’ specialist knowledge to support understanding, build confidence, and encourage informed conversations around education, independence and preparation for adulthood.

The first series includes four short episodes, released fortnightly, each focused on an area where specialist insight can make a real difference.

Hosted by Cameron Mills, Focus In is designed to be informative, accessible and genuinely useful for those supporting young people with SEND and vision impairment.

Subscribe now to be notified when the first episode is released.