Deafblind
Assessments with deafblind people
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:
Contact:
Devon Sensory Team
e-mail: sensory@devon.gov.uk
- Exeter, East & Mid Devon
Tel. 0845 155 1007
Fax. 01392 383 767
Textphone 0845 1551 020
- North Devon & Torridge
Tel. 0845 155 1007
Fax. 01271 859509
- South Hams, Teignbridge & West Devon
Tel. 0845 155 1007
Fax. 01803 868 807
Textphone. 0845 1551 020
