BSL Assessment and Care Management Engagement Event Report on findings
Download (PDF 961.21 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Barnsley were approached by the DEAForum, Leeds Involving People and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in 2015 to work in partnership with them to plan their annual event to look at the barriers the Deaf community face when accessing Assessment and Care Management Services delivered by Barnsley Council. This event was planned for Saturday 5 March 2016 and was held at the Town Hall in Barnsley. 52 people attended.
The Deaf community stated that they do not have the information they need to enable them to initiate contact with the assessment and care management services.
Assessments are carried out with a BSL interpreter present and the Deaf community would prefer access to a Deaf social worker or a social worker who is proficient in BSL and has an understanding of Deaf Culture.
Assessments and follow up communications often left the Deaf community feeling confused.
The Deaf community feel that the Deaf advice service ran by the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) on Wednesday mornings is not meeting their needs
The Deaf community often feels isolated and this isolation is increased when in a residential care setting or if the person is housebound. Isolation inevitably impacts upon the emotional health and wellbeing of an individual, increases potential safeguarding concerns and will also impact on their proficiency in BSL due to long periods of inactivity.
The Deaf community needs support in understanding how they can better safeguard themselves and where to go should they need support.
Currently when services which provide information, advice and support to the Deaf community are decommissioned, the Deaf community does not receive information in an accessible format and therefore cannot voice their concerns.
The Deaf community would welcome the opportunity to volunteer to support other Deaf service users given the right training and support.
More awareness raising needs to be undertaken amongst social care staff who may come into contact with the Deaf community so that they have a basic understanding and awareness of the needs of the Deaf community and their culture.
Technology is improving which can impact upon the Deaf Communities experience of Assessment and Care Management Services.