A Single Strategy for Sensory Needs - The Highland Council

The Hearing Support Service is available to all for whom any degree of hearing loss is impacting on their daily living. Assessments from
trained support workers are completed and services provided to promote and maintain a safe and independent lifestyle. This
includes alerts for smoke alarms, carbon monoxide, doorbells, phones and listening devices for phone, T.V. and audio equipment.
Information, advice and on-going support are provided as necessary with referrals being made to other services if required.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Team Manager: currently has an active caseload, in addition to managing the Team and providing input at the strategic
level both locally and nationally.
2 Specialist Social Workers: manage active caseloads, supervise support workers, help organise children’s summer outings,
provide training opportunities to new staff and promote user consultation. Priorities are promoting the social inclusion of Deaf
Children and supporting adults with complex needs.
Hearing Support Co-ordinator: oversees the operation of the Hearing Support Service and contributes to the development of
equitable service provision across Highland. She is responsible for supervising and training support workers, prioritising and
allocating work and resources and liasing with suppliers, contractors and other service providers.
Sign Language Tutor: helps the acquisition of sign language skills by deaf children, their families and carers, and significant
others. Training may also be given to hearing staff working with deaf adults.
Support Workers: currently 16 support workers provide 1:1 support to deaf children, and their families and vulnerable deaf
adults. Some are able to offer guide communication services to deaf adults with additional sensory needs. They also undertake
assessments; follow up visits and reviews as part of the Hearing Support Service.
Part-time Clerical Assistant: one part-time clerical employee supports the above 21 members of staff. An expansion of these
hours is under consideration, to maximise the appropriate use of scarce specialist skills currently constrained with clerical /
administrative duties.
Service Aims and Priorities:
Supporting and promoting the social inclusion of deaf children.
Supporting adults with complex needs.
Providing a quality Hearing Support Service.
The Deaf Communication Project
The Deaf Communication Project was established in 1997 with funding from the Highland Council, Highland Health Board and
the European Social Fund.
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