Sensory Team

Who we are

The Sensory Team is part of Plymouth City Council's Adult Social Care department. We work with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have a visual impairment. We also work with people who have a dual sensory loss (combined hearing and sight loss).

The Sensory Team is made up of specialist workers including:

• A state registered Social Worker.
• A Community Care Worker who works with the team’s Social Worker.
• Community Care Workers who work with people who are deaf or hard of hearing and may provide equipment to manage hearing loss.
• Rehabilitation Workers who work with visually impaired people.

We also work closely with other services such as Occupational Therapy, the Royal Eye Infirmary, the Audiology Department at Derriford Hospital and voluntary organisations.

What do we do?

Subject to eligibility criteria, our main role is to promote independence for our service users, supporting people to develop and maintain an independent life. We can support people in many different ways such as rehabilitation training and provision/advice regarding equipment which can enable people to increase their choices and promote independence.

This may mean helping people to identify their own goals or re-learn a skill that they may have lost as a result of sensory loss or to help people identify new skills. Rehabilitation and equipment services are currently available to people of all ages.

Social care assessment

People aged 18 years and above whose needs cannot be met simply by rehabilitation training or the provision of equipment will be offered a social care assessment. This will identify specific needs and support in areas such as personal care, physical wellbeing, social inclusion, relationships and daily living skills.

To find out more about the assessment process, please visit the help from adult social care service page.

Registration for people with sensory loss

The Sensory Team is also responsible for maintaining a register of people who are deaf, hearing impaired, blind, partially sighted or have a dual sensory loss. When a Consultant Ophthalmologist decides that a person is eligible for being registered as blind or partially sighted, they complete a Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI).

A copy of that certificate is then sent to the Sensory Team, where upon contact is made with the individual to explain the benefits of being registered, the services available and the fact that it is voluntary. The process for being registered severely or moderately hearing impaired or having a dual sensory loss is also voluntary and less formal. An individual could be entitled to certain benefits and concessions by being registered, for example concessions on public transport.

How to contact us

You can contact the Sensory Team directly or though the Contact Centre; see the details on our contact us page.

We can also receive SMS (text messages) which you can send to us on 07970 051519, or you can use our Minicom answer phone service by dialling 01752 308929.

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