Sensory Service
Sensory support services
Our specialist rehabilitation workers assess and deliver services to improve quality of life and increase independence and wellbeing for anyone living with sight, hearing or dual sensory loss in Southend-on-Sea. After being referred, you will be assessed to see whether you are eligible for our services.
Visual impairment
Eligibility
The service is available to any visually impaired individual living in Southend-on-Sea.
You do not have to be registered sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind). However, your visual impairment must be having a significant impact on daily life.
Assessment
Once you have been seen at the eye hospital, a consultant ophthalmologist decides if you meet then the criteria for registration and completes a certificate of visual impairment (CVI). A copy is sent to you, as well as us in the Sensory Impairment Team. Once we receive the CVI, you will be contacted and asked if you want to be registered. We will offer you an assessment and tell you about our services.
Services available
- information about local services and activities
- practical support and training to learn skills to remain independent both at home and outdoors
Specialist training and advice on mobility, both indoors and outdoors, to increase confidence and safety, including:
- tuition using a white cane
- crossing roads
- teaching new routes
- shopping
- using public transport
- help with communication difficulties, such as reading, writing
- help in accessing equipment to manage daily life
- lighting and environmental adaptations to maximise vision and increase safety
- referrals to other services including voluntary agencies that may be able to help increase independence and wellbeing
An assessment for a magnifier can be provided by the Low Vision Clinic at Southend Hospital - if you are not already known to the eye unit, a referral can be made via your doctor.
Hearing impairment services
Eligibility
The service is available to any hearing-impaired individual living in Southend-on-Sea. They must have permanent and significant hearing loss which is having a significant impact on their daily life.
Assessment
You can self-refer to the service by contacting the Access Team. Alternatively, you can ask Audiology or your GP or social worker to make a referral for you. Once we receive the referral you will be contacted and asked if you want to be registered. We will then offer you an assessment and tell you about our services.
Services available
- information about local services and activities
- referrals to other services including voluntary agencies that may be able to help increase independence and wellbeing
- provision of specialist alerting systems to ensure your safety within your home. These can also include door alerts, magnetic window or door catches and baby monitors
- Specialist advice and assistance with:
- communication difficulties, such as using the telephone (mobile or landline)
- communication in social settings or with professionals and family members
- listening to the TV
Dual sensory loss service
Eligibility
- any Southend resident living with permanent and significant sight and hearing loss experiencing a significant impact on their mobility, ability to access information and their ability to communicate with others
- you do not have to be registered sight impaired (partially sighted) or severely sight impaired (blind)
Assessment
If you meet the above criteria and you are having practical difficulties due to your sight and hearing loss, referrals can be made to the OT Sensory Team for an assessment. If your hearing loss is having a significant impact on aspects of your daily life, this may be improved by the use of a hearing aid following an assessment from an audiologist. Referrals to the audiologist can be made via your GP.
Services available
Following an assessment there may be a number of services available, such as:
- information about local services and activities
- access to specialist equipment and aids to promote independence
- support with communication problems and help in developing solutions
- teaching independent living skills in the home
- help in accessing leisure facilities
- advice and referrals to other services that may help increase independence and wellbeing
Registration
The dual sensory loss register helps us to monitor the amount of people living with both sight and hearing loss in Southend-on-Sea. This allows us to plan our services making sure that they are as effective as possible. The register is voluntary and if you do not want to be registered it will not affect your eligibility.
How to make a referral
Request a referral to the Occupational Therapy Sensory Team by making a referral on our portal, which is the quickest and easiest way to contact us. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call our Contact Centre on 01702 215008.