Market Engagement for Mandatory Qualifications for Sensory Impairment (MQSI) Providers

It is a legal requirement for teachers of classes of pupils with sensory impairments to hold a mandatory qualification in sensory impairment (MQSI). This is a masters level course typically taken part-time over two years.

This Prior Information Notice is regarding a market engagement event around proposals for the approval of providers of MQSIs as detailed below.

MQSI approvals:

We intend to develop a new commercial approval process to determine providers of MQSIs from the start of academic year 2023/2024.

What we want from MQSIs:

• To ensure a supply of teachers of children with visual, hearing and multi-sensory impairment, including those providing support in mainstream schools.
• To ensure a high-quality, sustainable and resilient qualifications market that that supports high quality outcomes for children with sensory impairment.

We are seeking feedback in advance of developing a new approvals process, from Higher Education Providers and other organisations - with Taught Degree Awarding Powers that would be interested in offering these qualifications.

Details of a virtual pre-market engagement event will be given to all those who have registered. The Market Engagement Event will be during w/c 17 January 2022, with the specific date provided to all those that register interest.

To register, please email …@education.gov.uk with your details by 14th January 2022.

Questions will be shared with all those invited beforehand, please prepare a response to those questions that you are happy to discuss at the event itself. Please send any other questions you have prior to the event to: …@education.gov.uk by 4th January 2022.

Your questions and feedback will be used to help us identify the best commercial process to achieve the aim/objectives outlined above.

This notice does not constitute a call for competition to procure any services for the Department.