Professional staff in residential schools and colleges will soon provide free NHS dentistry, vision, and hearing examinations to young people with special needs and disabilities.

The government conducted NHS sensory checks in 2022 and 2023, and starting next year, the program will be implemented at educational facilities throughout England, enabling youngsters to take exams "in a comfortable and known environment."

Compared to their counterparts, children with autism and learning impairments have higher rates of hearing, vision, and dental issues.

It is anticipated that the new program will enrol 18,000 pupils.

The help they require will be given by these new sensory assessments in residential special schools.

NHS England's Tom Cahill
Every member of the team performing the sensory tests will be suitably qualified and trained.National Learning Disability and Autism Director at NHS England Tom Cahill said the new checks would ensure any issues are identified promptly.

“Mainstream services can sometimes struggle to meet the needs of autistic children and young people, or those with a profound learning disability, so these new sensory checks in residential special schools will provide the support they need,” he said.

“Having specialist services which take account of an individual’s reasonable adjustments, with support from people that know them well and delivered by appropriately-trained staff, will help ensure that they are able to access sensory checks that other children and young people routinely receive.”

Eyesight checks will be carried out annually, and at least one face-to-face annual dental check will be offered as a minimum, with health advice and prevention visits also on offer.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock said the checkups would help tackle health inequality and give access to support faster.

He expressed his satisfaction that all students in special education settings would be able to receive essential sensory tests in a familiar and comfortable setting.

"These examinations will make it possible to identify health issues in approximately 18,000 children and young adults more quickly."