It is essential that a deafblind person is assessed by someone suitably qualified - someone with a thorough knowledge of deafblindness and an understanding of assessment. If a user is or may be deafblind, they must be referred for appropriate assessment.

Fair Access to Care Services (FACS)

FACS sets out how the assessment of eligibility for services should be carried out. The deafblind guidance Social Care for Deafblind Children and Adults states that all assessments of deafblind people, including FACS assessments, should be carried out by someone specifically qualified to do this.

Staff carrying out assessments of deafblind people need:

• to understand the FACS guidance and how to assess levels of risk according to the FACS framework.
• to know how to identify a person who may be deafblind and how to refer them for appropriate assessment.

Since many deafblind people have conditions which will worsen over time, they also need to be able to identify preventative measures.

See also:

• Fair Access to Care Services - Background papers (mainly for professionals)

Contact:

Devon Sensory Team

e-mail: sensory@devon.gov.uk

• Exeter, East, Mid Devon
  Tel. 0845 155 1007
  Fax. 01392 383 767
  Textphone. 01392 383 733

• North Devon, Torridge
  Tel. (includes text) 01271 377 455
  Fax. 01271 373 236

• South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon
  Tel. 01392 386 623
  Fax. 01803 868 807
  Textphone. 01803 868 818