The Special Educational Settings (SES) scheme supports children and young people who attend special schools by providing access to NHS sight tests delivered through the SES NHS sight test service.

While sight tests may be carried out within a Special Educational Setting, patients are not restricted to using a specific ophthalmic contractor when it comes to dispensing. A patient, or their parent or carer, may present a GOS3 or GOS4 voucher to any ophthalmic contractor, including a high street practice.

This means ophthalmic contractors may occasionally see SES patients even if they do not provide the SES NHS sight test service themselves. 

Submitting GOS3 and GOS4 claims for SES patients 

When submitting a GOS3 or GOS4 claim for a patient who attends a Special Educational Setting, it is important to ensure the correct patient eligibility is selected on the Patient Eligibility screen in PCSE Online.

If the patient is recorded as being within a Special Educational Setting, there is no need to complete the following fields on the Patient’s Declaration screen:

• Signatory (patient, parent, carer, or guardian) 
• Name 
• Address 

No signature is required for an SES patient.

This applies regardless of which ophthalmic contractor submits the claim, provided the SES eligibility has been selected correctly. 

Important information about PMS systems 

Please note that no changes have been made to PMS systems as part of these updates.

Contractors using a PMS should be aware that: 

SES GOS3 and GOS4 vouchers must still be redeemed via PCSE Online. 

Detailed, step by step guidance on completing claims is available in the user guides: 

GOS3 user guide

GOS4 user guide

These guides include screenshots and additional information to support accurate submission of claims in PCSE Online.