Overview of Sense’s services and funding
Get in touch
If you’re a commissioner of health and social care services, or you’re affiliated with a local authority and would like to learn more about how the service works and how Sense offers support in your area, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
At Sense, we’re working to help everyone take part in life, no matter their disability.
Sense provides many different services for people of all ages who are deafblind or who have complex disabilities. This overview summarises all of our services and their funding sources.
Through our various programmes, we currently support over 30,000 disabled people, their parents; carers; and siblings. We continue to grow the number of services we offer across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the number of people we support.
We have ambitious plans mean to reach and support more people than ever in the next five years
There are currently 1.6 million people in the UK with complex disabilities. Our comprehensive research explains where they live and who they are.
Services that are funded or part-funded by the local authority
Individual support for people who are deafblind
Sense provides support workers to help people who are deafblind, have multi-sensory impairment, or have complex disabilities.
How it’s funded
Funded by a local authority or through NHS continuing health care. Direct Payments, or can be privately funded by the individual.
Supported Living
Residential accommodation for adults who require regular support from support workers, but who do not need round-the-clock care.
How it’s funded
Funded by a local authority or through NHS continuing health care. Housing Benefit is applied for to cover housing related costs.
Short Breaks
Sense Short Breaks are get-aways and days out for disabled adults and children.
How it’s funded
Funded by a local authority. Can be paid for using Direct Payments from the local authority.
Sense Colleges
Sense College is an independent specialist college for people aged 16-25 with complex disabilities or special educational needs. We offer teaching at Sense centres around England. It is also an adult social care day service for over-18s.
How it’s funded
Skills Funding Authority funding for education placements. Social care placements are funded by the local authority or Direct Payments.
Holidays
We provide Sense Holidays to people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities. They are staffed by expert carers and trained volunteers.
How it’s funded
Charitably funded. Individuals and families are asked to make a financial contribution towards the cost of the holiday – this can be covered by a local authority short break care funding or Direct Payments.
Services that are charitably funded
Support for people with Usher
Our expert team offers one-to-one support for people with Usher syndrome and their families.
How it’s funded
Charitably funded by Sense, with no charge to individuals and families.
Specialist Services for Children and Young People
Expert advice and support to children with deafblindness and their families.
How it’s funded
Charitably funded by Sense, with no charge to individuals and families.
Siblings and Young Carers
Sense supports siblings and young carers with caring responsibilities for a brother, sister or parent with any disability. We organise online activities and in-person meet-ups.
How it’s funded
Charitably funded by Sense, with no charge to individuals and families.
Virtual Buddying
Virtual Buddying combats social isolation and loneliness by matching volunteers with disabled people to chat, learn skills and form friendships online.
How it’s funded
Charitably funded by Sense, with no charge to individuals and families.
Arts, Sports and Wellbeing
Sense empowers people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities to lead creative and active lives. We offer a range of arts-, music- and movement-based programmes and activities.
How it’s funded
Charitably funded.
Employment Service
Get in touch
To learn more about any of these services, please contact us at [email protected].
This content was last reviewed in April 2022. We’ll review it again next year.