West Lothian Sensory Support Centre

The Sensory Support service provides social work and rehabilitation services for people of any age who are Deaf, hard of hearing, who have a visual impairment (either partially sighted or blind) or who are Deafblind.

If you feel you need support and think you are eligible, you can apply by contacting us using the details below.

Contact us

Sensory Support Centre
St John's Hospital
Livingston, EH54 6PP

Voice and textphone:
Email: sensorycentre@westlothian.gov.uk
SMS: 07867 651 196, Fax: 01506 774 491

What happens when I contact the service?

We will discuss the service with you, and answer any of your questions.
We will arrange to meet with you (and other family members of friends if you wish) to assess your needs and, if required, work out a plan of support. If you agree with this plan, we will begin to offer the agreed service as soon as possible after the meeting.

Visual Impairment service
We can help with the emotional difficulties sometimes associated with sight loss, can advise on benefits and employment and can assess the need for services, for example home help, day care, respite or residential care.

Rehabilitation workers can give advice and training to help with everyday tasks such as cooking and kitchen skills; suggest different types of help for reading and writing, and assess and advise on mobility and mobility aids.

If you feel you may benefit from these specialist services or would like more information contact the Centre to see either a member of the social work team or a rehabilitation officer.

Service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
When we have agreed a plan of support with you (see above):
? you will be allocated a support worker
? your worker will visit you in your own home, to provide support for agreed periods any time between 7.00 am and 11.00pm
? your worker will be supported through advice and guidance by a sensory resource centre social worker
? the service is managed by a team leader
? you can find out about the costs for the sensory resource centre from your social worker. If you have to pay you will be told the fees before deciding whether to accept the service. If you receive any level of housing benefit there will be no charge.
? all procedures for the sensory resource centre are based on the 'National Standards for Housing Support', a copy of which will be given to you.

What if my needs change?
Your support plan will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it continues to meet your needs. This will be done, formally, once a year, but your support worker will discuss your support plan with you on a regular basis to ensure that any necessary changes are made between formal annual reviews.

You should inform your worker if you believe that your needs have changed.
You can request a review of your support plan at any time, and the sensory resource centre will ensure that this takes place.

Further help and support
If while receiving support, you require advice or guidance about any aspect of the sensory support centre, you can contact any member of the team directly on the contact numbers in the introductory pack that you will receive on joining the service.

Your first contact will be your support worker, but both the social worker and team leader can also be contacted.

The Scottish Commission for the Regulation for Care (known as the Care Commission) will carry out regular inspections of the service, and you will be able to contact them for independent advice at any time. Their contact details will also be found in your introductory pack, should you join the service.

We can also assist you to contact an independent advocate, through an advocacy agency, if you require completely independent advice or help about the service you receive.

Comments
If you use services, are eligible for services, or act on behalf of someone who is, then your views are very important to us.

Please talk in the first instance to a member of staff. If you then want to make a written suggestion, you can write to the manager at the address below, or to the Head of Social Policy at Civic Centre, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian. EH54 6FF

If you need help, please tel 01506 775000