Social Skills for Children with VI and SEND Course

The Positive Social Skills Training Course provides practical, evidence-informed strategies to help professionals support the social development of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Vision Impairment (VI).

Strong social skills are essential for building friendships, developing confidence, participating in learning and promoting emotional wellbeing. However, many children with SEND and visual impairment can experience barriers to social interaction, communication and inclusion.

This practical, resource-rich training course helps practitioners understand these challenges and provides a wide range of activities, strategies and interventions to support children in developing successful social communication and interaction skills.

Participants gain practical approaches that can be implemented immediately across educational settings, helping children build confidence, independence and positive relationships with others.

Why Social Skills Matter

Social skills play a vital role in children’s learning, wellbeing and inclusion.

Many children with SEND and vision impairment face additional challenges when learning social behaviours that sighted peers may acquire naturally through observation. Difficulties with understanding body language, facial expressions, turn-taking, conversation skills and social cues can impact friendships, confidence and participation.

By providing structured opportunities to develop social skills, practitioners can help children:

• Build positive relationships
• Increase confidence
• Improve emotional wellbeing
• Develop communication skills
• Participate more fully in classroom and social activities
• Become more independent and self-aware

Structure and Delivery

The course provides a practical understanding of how SEND and vision impairment can influence social development and social communication.

Training can be delivered as bespoke face-to-face or online training tailored to your organisation’s requirements, learners and professional development priorities.

Participants explore approaches that can be used within:

• Early Years settings
• Mainstream schools
• Special schools
• Resource bases
• Local authority services
• Home and family environments

Throughout the course, practical demonstrations, low-cost resources and real-life examples are used to show how social skills can be taught, reinforced and generalised across different environments.

Supporting Social Development

Participants explore a wide range of social skills including:

Conversation Skills

• Initiating and maintaining conversations
• Turn-taking
• Listening and responding appropriately
• Recognising conversational cues
• Developing confidence during interactions

Listening Skills

• Active listening
• Following instructions
• Giving instructions
• Understanding verbal information
• Developing attention during group activities

Play Skills

• Sharing and cooperation
• Reciprocal play
• Imaginative play
• Group participation
• Developing friendships through structured play

Non-Verbal Communication

• Understanding facial expressions
• Interpreting body language
• Recognising tone of voice
• Understanding emotions
• Developing social awareness

Building Confidence and Emotional Wellbeing

A key focus of the Positive Social Skills approach is helping children recognise their strengths and build confidence.

Participants learn practical methods to help children:

• Understand their own abilities
• Develop self-confidence
• Build resilience
• Strengthen self-advocacy skills
• Improve emotional wellbeing

The course explores how confidence and social competence work together to promote greater participation, independence and inclusion.

Who Is This Course For?

This course is suitable for:

• Qualified Teachers of Vision Impairment (QTVIs)
• Qualified Teachers of Multi-Sensory Impairment (QTMSIs)
• Teachers
• Teaching Assistants
• SENDCOs
• Early Years Practitioners
• Therapists
• Special School Staff
• Local Authority Services
• Professionals supporting children with SEND and vision impairment

The practical approaches can be implemented immediately across mainstream, specialist and inclusive educational environments.

Learning Objectives

Develop Understanding of Social Development

Participants will understand how SEND and vision impairment can impact social interaction, communication and inclusion.

Participants will be able to:

• Recognise barriers to social development.
• Identify strengths and areas requiring support.
• Understand the relationship between social skills, confidence and wellbeing.
• Observe and assess social interaction skills.

Apply Practical Social Skills Strategies

Participants will explore practical approaches that support the development of social communication and interaction skills.

Participants will be able to:

• Use activities that develop conversation skills.
• Support turn-taking and active listening.
• Develop play and friendship skills.
• Encourage understanding of non-verbal communication.

Plan and Deliver a Social Skills Programme

Participants will learn how to create structured opportunities for social development.

Participants will be able to:

• Plan targeted social skills interventions.
• Use role play and peer-support approaches.
• Select appropriate resources and activities.
• Monitor progress and celebrate success.

What the Professionals Say About Our Training

Why Choose Positive Eye

• Specialist expertise in vision impairment and SEND.
• Practical strategies that can be used straight away.
• Resource-rich training with real classroom applications.
• Engaging, interactive sessions tailored to your setting.
• Focus on communication, confidence and social inclusion.
• Trusted by schools, support services and local authorities

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Social Skills Course for?

The course is designed for teachers, teaching assistants, SENDCOs, therapists, QTVIs, QTMSIs and professionals supporting children with SEND and vision impairment.

What social skills are covered?

The course covers conversation skills, listening skills, play skills, friendship skills, understanding body language, interpreting facial expressions, developing confidence, recognising strengths and building resilience.

Can the training be tailored to our setting?

Yes. Positive Eye’s bespoke training can be adapted for mainstream schools, special schools, early years settings and local authority services.

Is the course suitable for children with vision impairment?

Yes. The course specifically explores how vision impairment can impact social development and provides practical strategies to support inclusion and participation.

Do participants receive practical activities and resource ideas?

Yes. The training is highly practical and includes a wide range of activities, intervention ideas and low-cost resources that can be used immediately.

 Related Courses

• Accessible Literacy for Children with VI and SEND
• Accessible Early Numeracy for Children with VI and SEND
• Introduction to Supporting Children with Vision Impairment
• Supporting Children with Deteriorating Vision and Sudden Sight Loss 
• Positive Looking Visual Skills

To Discuss Your Training Requirements

Please email gwyn@positiveeye.co.uk to discuss your specific training requirements. The course can be tailored to meet the needs of your organisation, team or educational setting.