and safeguarding processes with assistance from an appropriate individual, but there is no appropriate individual available (Code 10, 47). Barriers to participating in decisions about personal well-being outcomes, and how to meet these, will include issues and situations that may impact on a ability person’s to: Understand relevant information Retain information Use or weigh information Communicate their views, wishes or feelings (Code 10, 55) Some deafblind people will be in this position, for instance if they have a learning disability or dementia. They may also have limited knowledge because of their difficulty accessing information and so need additional support to understand their choices. In all these situations a person will require the support of an advocate who is able to appropriately support them. Not all advocates will be able to support those with communication difficulties. It is essential that the advocate employed has an appropriate understanding of communication and sensory loss otherwise they will be unable to fulfil the role of advocate. A deafblind person who faces a barrier to participating solely because of communication barriers and accessing information caused by their sensory needs will not require an advocate. A person who can engage with the process with appropriate communication support or accessible information should be provided with this. They will only require an advocate if they are unable to engage with the process even with such support. It is possible that a person may require both an interpreter and an advocate. Eligibility Once the assessment has been completed, the next step is to determine whether the person meets the eligibility criteria. This should also be carried out by a person with training and expertise in deafblindness to ensure that the impact of those needs on outcomes and well-being is fully understood. Children and young people with MSI, as disabled children and young people, will always be presumed to have eligible needs. Local authorities will always work from:
and safeguarding processes with assistance from an appropriate individual, but there is no appropriate individual available (Code 10, 47). Barriers to participating in decisions about personal well-being outcomes, and how to meet these, will include issues and situations that may impact on a person’s ability to: Understand relevant information Retain information Use or weigh information Communicate their views, wishes or feelings (Code 10, 55) Some deafblind people will be in this position, for instance if they have a learning disability or dementia. They may also have limited knowledge because of their difficulty accessing information and so need additional support to understand their choices. In all these situations a person will require the support of an advocate who is able to appropriately support them. Not all advocates will be able to support those with communication difficulties. It is essential that the advocate employed has an appropriate understanding of communication and sensory loss otherwise they will be unable to fulfil the role of advocate. A deafblind person who faces a barrier to participating solely because of communication barriers and accessing information caused by their sensory needs will not require an advocate. A person who can engage with the process with appropriate communication support or accessible information should be provided with this. They will only require an advocate if they are unable to engage with the process even with such support. It is possible that a person may require both an interpreter and an advocate. Eligibility Once the assessment has been completed, the next step is to determine whether the person meets the eligibility criteria. This should also be carried out by a person with training and expertise in deafblindness to ensure that the impact of those needs on outcomes and well-being is fully understood. Children and young people with MSI, as disabled children and young people, will always be presumed to have eligible needs. Local authorities will always work from:
Practical_Guide_to_Implementing_the_Act_for_Deafblind_People.docx