Services from local authorities
In June 2009 the Department of Health reissued a guidance for local authorities called 'Social care for deafblind children and adults' LAC(DH)(2009)6 under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970.
The Section 7 guidance orders the local authorities to provide support for deafblind people.
Latest findings from local authorities
Every year Sense asks local authorities to report on its provision of services for deafblind people. A full report is available of the latest results. View the report (word, 327kb).
You can also find out how your local authority is performing. Find out how your local authority is doing.
What does the guidance mean?
The guidance says that local authorities have to:
- identify the deafblind people in their area
- provide specialist assessments by staff who understand deafblindness
- provide one-to-one support
- ensure services are appropriate
- provide information deafblind people can use
- have a senior manager responsible for deafblindness.
This guidance applies to children, adults and older people. It is for anyone who has both a hearing and sight loss that causes them problems in everyday life. You do not have to be completely deaf and blind.
