Qualifications for teachers of children and young people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, or deafblind.

Closes 4 Jul 2025

Opened 8 May 2025

Overview

This consultation seeks to capture views on proposed changes to the guidance on appropriate qualifications and teacher competencies for teachers who teach children and young people who are blind or partially sighted, deaf, or deafblind.

The proposed changes take into account developments in sensory impairment education since 2007, with the overall aim of enhancing attainment for children and young people with these specific learning needs.

We would like to hear your views on the changes proposed. These include route to qualification, language and communication skill level, and the length of time recommended to gain the qualification.

Read the consultation paper

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Audio Summary

BSL Summary of Guidance on appropriate qualifications.

BSL Summaries of Teacher Competencies can be found at links below

The consultation paper contains full background information for this consultation. You may find it useful to read or refer to while responding.

Useful information about responding to this consultation

As you complete your response, each page will provide the option to 'Save and come back later' at the bottom. This means you can save your progress and return to the consultation at any time before it closes. If you don't use this feature and leave the consultation midway through, your response will be lost.

Once you have submitted your response, you can enter your email address to get a pdf copy of your answers sent to you.

On the 'About You' page at the end of this consultation, organisations will have the opportunity to tell us more about their work and/or how their response was informed.

After the consultation has closed there will be a few months delay before any responses are published. This is because we must check any responses to be published abide by our Terms of Use.

An analysis report will usually be published some months after the consultation has closed. This report will summarise the findings based on all responses submitted. It will be published on the Scottish Government website and you may be notified about it if you choose to share your email address with us. You can also join our consulation mailing list where we regularly list newly published analysis reports (as well as new consultations).

 

Why your views matter

Your views are essential to ensuring that the changes proposed are proportionate and well considered, so that the best teaching and support is provided for children and young people who are blind or partially sighted, deaf, or deafblind.

Give us your views

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  • Education