Steve Rose Head of Children’s Specialist Services Sense A Sense of Change Steve Rose Head of Children’s Specialist Services Sense

It’s in our hands More deafblind people and their families will be active and valued citizens. Deafblind people and their families will be better able to take control of their lives getting the information, support and services they want. Deafblind people’s choices and rights as citizens will increasingly be respected. More deafblind people and their families will be active and valued citizens. They will feel less isolates, enjoy increased well being, self confidence and self esteem – learning, sharing and contributing to their communities. More will be done to remove the barriers that prevent active citizenship. Deafblind people and their families will be better able to take control of their lives getting the information, support and services they want. They will be able to better deal with the issues they face and be empowered to make their own decisions. Deafblind people’s choices and rights as citizens will increasingly be respected. Communities, organisations, service and authorities will be more knowledgeable about what deafblind people want, will be more understanding of their individual needs and will make changes that lead to increased choice, opportunities and equal rights.“

Our underpinning philosophy We will work in partnership to determine the best outcomes for deafblind children and their families. Every parent will understand their child’s potential ability Every young person will be empowered to reach their full ability. Every young person and parent will know about their rights. Every young person / parent will know who to contact in Sense (a identified contact) and how to access further support. Every young person / parent will be able to access regular Sense events.

The current resource offer For the team to establish initial contact with families within two working days of a referral being passed on from the Information and Advice Service To arrange a visit to provide information and identify further support, within six - eight weeks of referral to every child and family, who want it, when they first contact us with a view to: Offering information, advice and guidance (if required) Providing further information about getting involved with Sense Agreeing what else we can offer. To identify a CSS team member as the child’s identified worker To offer access to at least one CSS family event to meet other children and families per year Between the team and the Information and Advice Service, to maintain contact with each family on an annual basis.

Children’s Specialist Services Team Localities South Locality North Locality East Locality Wales West Locality Northern Ireland North Locality – Yorkshire and Humber, North West, and North East South Locality – London and South East East Locality – East of England and East Midlands West Locality – West Midlands and South West Wales Northern Ireland.

Contact details Steve Rose Head of Children’s Specialist Services Newplan House, 41 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1BL Tel: 0845 127 0076 Text: 0845 127 0078 Fax: 0845 127 0077 Email: steve.rose@sense.org.uk Sense Information and Advice Service 101 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LG Tel: 0845 127 0060 Text: 0845 127 0062 Fax: 0845 127 0061 Email: info@sense.org.uk