New Initiative For People With Sensory Needs

The Highland Council has developed a single strategic approach in partnership with other bodies to ensure that community services offered to people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, blind or deafblind are founded in good collaborative practice.

"Talking Sense in the Highlands – A single Strategy For Sensory Needs in the Highlands" was recently launched in Inverness by Councillor Olwyn Macdonald Vice Chair of Highland Council’s Housing & Social Work Committee; Dr. Pat Robertson, Chair of Caithness Deaf Care and Vice Chair of the new Strategic Working Group on Sensory Issues; and Sandy Riddell, Highland Council’s Head of Operations with Social Works Services.

Viewed as being at the forefront of national developments on sensory issues, the new strategic framework is likely to lead to a more holistic, inclusive and integrated approach across agencies and sectors to reflect the true complexity of the range of support needs within Highland Communities.

Councillor Olwyn Macdonald recently appointed Chair of a new multi agency Strategic Working Group on Sensory Issues said: "This will secure very tangible improvements for people with sensory needs. I am in no doubt that the new framework and its action plan will not only lead to the development of more specialist services but will also improve the mainstream services that so many people rely upon."

The development of the Single Strategy involved widespread and targeted consultation to properly shape and inform service developments. Mr Riddell said: "The development of such a strategy will promote co-operation between organisations at all levels to avoid duplication, provide better joint working arrangements and encourage a greater appreciation and sharing of best practice."

Dr. Robertson said: "This initiative is a very important piece of work which represents a significant step forward for Highland. It will ensure that a wide range of services are provided to help people with sensory needs reach their full potential and improve their quality of life."

The Strategy has a clear framework for implementation which outlines commitments and timescales for the public. The multi-agency Strategic Working Group on Sensory Issues has been established to take forward this agenda. It will not only monitor progress in relation to the implementation of the strategy but will play a key role in influencing future policy and practice in relation to for example education, social work, training and employment.