An intervenor is a skilled support worker whose role is to be there specifically for the child, young person or adult who is deafblind.

They provide individualised guidance and support, directed by the individual, to enable the person to develop new skills and do as much for themselves as possible. The key principle underpinning intervention is not doing ‘for’, but doing ‘with’.

An intervenor:

• Promotes a trusting and secure relationship with the individual and the other people in their life
• Encouragess effective communication and enable the reception of clear information
• Works closely in partnership with parents and carers, offering support, guidance and encouragement
• Encourages a child or young person’s potential for learning and building of relationships, increase confidence
• Provides access to the world around the individual and supports their social and emotional needs

Sense is calling on the Government to ensure that deafblind children are identified by their local authorities. This identification is crucial if these children are to receive the specialist intervenor support they need.  

Local authority survey of services for deafblind children in England and Wales

Since 2002, Sense has carried out regular surveys of local authority services for deafblind adults. We have also carried out surveys of services for deafblind children.

The surveys examine the extent to which local authorities are implementing the provisions of the Deafblind Guidance.

Download:

• Sense Intervenors Parliamentary briefing paper (PDF 1MB)
• 2011 - 2012 children's services survey (PDF 1MB)