Specialist Services

Our Specialist Services team offers the following services:

Individual Assessments:

Specialist assessments are provided in line with the Department of Health, Section 7 Guidance. Our consultancy visits assess a service user’s immediate needs and future aspirations, followed by a comprehensive written recommendation report.

Individualised support planning assessments provide assistance to ensure personal budgets ‘put deafblind people first’ and in control by assessing their requirements and providing a good communicator who spends time explaining situations, any risks and giving choices to empower them to decide on the best ways to address their service provision needs.

Deafblind rehabilitation assessments provide a holistic approach concentrating on daily living tasks, communication and movement, orientation and mobility. These assessments can be commissioned to focus on one specific area of learning or an overview of all areas.

Communication support for ad hoc needs and medical appointments:

Many people with a sight and hearing loss tell us that they find it difficult to hear vital information, mis-communication occurs and they cannot make sense of what is being said by consultants/professionals. They struggle to find their way to and from their appointments which causes anxiety and frustration. By providing a communicator-guide it assists them to break down any barriers between them and health professionals enabling them to make informed decisions about their own heath needs and be in control.

Training and awareness consists of:

Deafblind Specialist Assessment Workshop – which meets Section 7 Guidance www.deafblind.org.uk/services and is designed for Local Authority, health and social care professionals who are undertaking assessments with people who have difficulties with sight and hearing. A Deafblind UK Certificate is provided on completion of the course. The next available course dates for this course at the National Centre for Deafblindness in Peterborough are:

Deafblind Awareness – 2 hour/half day sessions or 1-day courses are available – an ideal starting point to develop awareness and confidence. For those with little or no knowledge or experience of Deafblindness. A Deafblind UK certificate is provided. Please contact us for the dates of the next available courses.

Signature (CACDP) CDC2 Level 2 Certificate in Communication with deafblind people (manual) – become a qualified professional working with deafblind people with confidence and become effective in this field. Qualification enables candidates to become professional communicator-guides/support workers. The next course at the National Centre in Peterborough is 1, 2, 14, 15, 16 December (5 day course).

Tailor-made courses are available, such as Deaf awareness, Visual Impairment, person-centred planning and rehab support.

To ensure many more professionals become aware of the needs of deafblind people and how to address them and to gain a better understanding or insight into the challenges, external courses can be facilitated in your area or you can visit us at the National Centre for Deafblindness and hold a course here.

Find out more a bit more information about our training and awareness courses.