We are a team of specialist advisory teachers, children’s therapists, and Children and Family Support Workers. The team provides expert advice and information to deafblind children and young people, to their families or carers, and to the professionals who work with them. We also provide support in the home, at school or at our three centres of excellence.
Who do we help?
Our service is for children and young people aged 0 - 18 who are deafblind, regardless of their diagnosis. We also continue to work with young people who are still in a school setting, until the academic year in which they turn 19.
When we talk about deafblind children we mean:
- Children who have difficulties with sight and hearing and sometimes learning or other additional disabilities; and
- Children who have medical conditions that are likely to cause problems with sight and hearing as they grow older – for example Usher Syndrome.
Also - although they would not be described as being deafblind - we can often offer some support to the families of children who have problems with either hearing or vision, combined with learning or other additional disabilities. If you are not sure, please get in touch.
What do we offer?
We have a core offer of support for every deafblind child, which sets out what families can expect from us, including:
- we will quickly get in touch with you
- you will have an identified team member to support you
- you will be invited to regular family events
- we will keep in touch with you at least once a year.
We know that there are times in a child’s life when their families will need more support - like when they are starting school, changing schools or when they are moving into adulthood. Our team can provide extra support at these key times or if families are having difficulties e.g. if their child needs to go into hospital.
Intervenors in Action DVD
Do you know what an intervenor does? Do you know who intervenors work with? The Children’s Specialist Services team at Sense has produced a new DVD called Intervenors in Action to answer these and other questions about intervenors.
Getting in touch
To find out more please contact Sense’s Information & Advice team who will ensure you are put in touch with the right team:
Tel: 0845 127 0066
Textphone: 0845 127 0062
Email: info@sense.org.uk
