dDeaf and the hard of hearing (FOI)

​Request

A

How many Practitioners are there within Health and Community Services for the provision for dDeaf and Hard of Hearing People (adults and children)?

B

How many can use British Sign Language (BSL), and to what level?

C

Can I have numbers for 2018 and present.

Response for Adult Services

A

In adult services, adults whose primary need for social care support arises from a hearing impairment would be allocated within the Adult Social Care Team. This team is comprised of 14 full time employee social workers, two long term care nurses, three assistant social workers and three team assistants. This is in addition to the support available via the Audiology and HSS interpreting services.

B

In the Adult Social Care Team there is one member of staffed trained to BSL L2.

C

In 2018 there was one BSL L3 trained Social Worker, however their employment ceased in April 2019.

Response for Children’s Services

(Children's Services is now part of the Children, Young People, Education and Skills Department)

A

Children’s Service do not have any workers specifically providing support for dDeaf and Hard of Hearing children. We have a complex needs team who provides support to children with disabilities and those with chronic health problems. Some of our children who have hearing issues are supported by audiology and the teacher of the Deaf within a multi-agency context with the social worker being the lead worker.

B

No workers have BSL.

C

As per response C above.