Level 5 sensory assessments

As the Care Act comes into force on 1st April  2025, local authorities and practitioners face new responsibilities to provide high-quality, person-centred care. For deaf blind individuals, including older people living with sight and hearing loss, the introduction of the Care Act is an opportunity to deliver better access to social care, but it also brings distinct challenges.

Are you prepared to meet the needs of deafblind people and ensure their voices are heard in your assessments and care plans?

At Hoarding Helpers, we specialise in helping local authorities and care teams implement the Care Act in a way that empowers deafblind people and ensures they receive the support they are entitled to.

The Care Act’s introduction requires a nuanced approach when working with deafblind individuals, as sensory loss impacts nearly every area of daily life. Some of the specific challenges include:

• Navigating Communication Barriers: Many deaf blind individuals need interpreters or assistive technology to communicate effectively.
   
• Accessing Information: Whether it’s understanding shopping labels, receiving health advice, or reading correspondence—accessible formats like braille, large print, and electronic media are crucial.
   
• Maintaining Personal Independence: Activities like shopping, preparing food, or ensuring a safe living environment are much harder without the right support.
   

We provide comprehensive solutions that ensure deaf blind individuals get the tailored care they need under the Care Act’s framework.

• Our trained qualified assessors are experts in sensory loss and communication barriers. We ensure person centred assessments, fully involving the individual using accessible methods.
   
• We guide you through the eligibility criteria to ensure the right support is in place for everyday tasks like nutrition, maintaining a safe home, and managing personal care.
   

• First contact with a deafblind person requires care and attention. We provide specialist training for your intake and first contact teams on how to communicate effectively, ensuring that the process starts smoothly, whether it’s in person, by text, or via assistive devices.
   

• Information about assessments, services, and care plans must be delivered in formats that meet the needs of deafblind individuals. From braille and large print to electronic formats and, in exceptional cases, deaf blind manual communication, we ensure that the Care Act guidance is followed to the letter. We help make information accessible to all.
   

• For people with deaf blindness, home adjustments and specialist equipment can dramatically improve safety and independence. We help local authorities with detailed advice so they can provide tech such as; vibrating smoke alarms, doorbell systems, improved lighting, and other assistive technologies to reduce risks and increase mobility.
  
   

• Legal Compliance: Local authorities must meet the Care Act’s requirement to provide services in accessible formats and ensure the individual’s involvement in care assessments.
   
• Improved Outcomes: By providing person centred, tailored support, the likelihood of successful outcomes increases and empowering deaf blind people to live more independently and with greater dignity.
   
• Reducing Risk: Providing accessible communication, home adaptations, and adequate support can reduce the risk of accidents, social isolation, and health deterioration.
   

• Expertise in Sensory Loss: We are specialists in supporting individuals with dual sensory loss. We understand the complexity of working with deafblind people and the unique care requirements they face.
   
• Training & Consultancy: We offer training for your team, from first contact staff to care assessors, to ensure they are equipped to meet the specific needs of deafblind individuals.
   
• Comprehensive Solutions: From assistive technology to communication support, we offer advice on a wide range of services to ensure deafblind people receive holistic, coordinated care.
   
• Proven Track Record: Our team have worked with numerous local authorities and care providers, helping them implement the Care Act in ways that make a real difference in the lives of deafblind people.
   

As the Care Act brings sweeping changes to social care, it’s vital to ensure deaf blind individuals receive the support they need and deserve.

Partner with Hoarding Helpers today to ensure your local authority or care team is fully prepared to meet the Care Act’s requirements for deafblind people. Together, we can transform lives, ensure compliance, and build a more inclusive future.

Let’s make sure that no one with sensory loss is left behind in the journey to better care.