A Single Strategy for Sensory Needs - The Highland Council

Taking Forward the Strategy
A multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral working group was established with a
remit to:
Consult with all key stakeholders including people who use services and
carers in the development of this strategy to ensure users, commissioners
and providers shape and inform evolving service developments;
Research and distil key issues in relation to legislation, policy and research;
Identify demographic and geographic factors which influence service
demands;
Map current services provided across sectors and identify common aims
and objectives to strengthen collaborative working;
Assess any resource shortfall or duplication of provision as well as
identifying opportunities to pool or target resources in ways which more
effectively and innovatively support the needs of individuals;
Draft a single strategy for sensory services and an action plan which
identified primary tasks and responsibilities, commitments and deadlines
as a means of achieving and measuring progress over the next three
years;
Review the role and function of the Co-ordinating Sub-Committee and
its relationship with the Joint Committees in line with the
recommendations contained in Sensing Progress with a view of
establishing a multi-agency strategy and resource group.
Membership of the working group is outlined in appendix one.
A number of short life sub-groups were formed to progress the development of the strategy. The focus of
the sub-groups was on:
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Deafblindness;
Social inclusion of deaf children and young people;
Social inclusion of visually impaired children and young people;
Access (Communication, Information and mobility);
Complex needs (adults and children).
A summary from each of the working groups is attached in appendix two.