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

2. 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.“

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Contact details Steve Rose Head of Children’s Specialist Services
Newplan House, 41 East Street, Epsom, Surrey, KT17 1BL
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Sense Information and Advice Service
101 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9LG
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