Learning disability outreach and assessment in Scotland

If you're a professional looking to commission services for someone with a learning disability and sight loss, or a parent or carer buying services under Self Directed Support (SDS), our award winning Visual Impairment Learning Disability and Complex Needs Services team offers an extensive range of support, outreach and assessment services.

Why choose us?

Our services, which are highly rated by the Care Inspectorate in Scotland, are widely recognised for their quality of support.
Our services get results by focussing on increasing independent living skills and overall quality of life by maintaining good visual health. And parents and carers report a confidence and peace of mind because we employ thorough risk management procedures to ensure support is reliable and consistent.

Outreach services / Community-based services

Our Outreach and Home Support services provide one-on-one practical support and assistance. We assist service users to manage their finances, attend medical appointments, such as GP, hospital, dentist and chiropodist appointments, and support individuals to participate in society and live ordinary lives. We also support people so they can

• Pursue further education
• Pursue employment
• Manage independent travelling
• Maintain social contacts / activities to combat social isolation
• Support the management of personal budgets

Day support and assessment service

Offers specialist, person-centred services to adults with learning disabilities and other complex needs as well as confirmed or suspected sight difficulties. We offer assessment in key areas including vision, communication, mobility and life skills.

Other support services

A wide range of other services are also available to people aged 16 and older.

Rehabilitation services

The rehabilitation service can provide support and training with the practical tasks that become difficult as a result of being blind or partially sighted. Assessment on how sight loss is impacting on a person's other abilities is carried out by considering four core skills

• Vision
• Independent living
• Orientation and mobility
• Communication

A non-intrusive functional vision assessment can be carried out by our team of specialised assessment workers. This focuses on the effects of vision difficulties on mobility, daily living skills and communication.

Day opportunities services

Our specially trained staff will assess how a person uses their vision in ordinary situations. This information along with a clinically supported eye exam is gathered into a report that is provided in a plain language. The report will offer practical advice to help develop strategies that make best use of their functional vision.
Referrals normally come via local social work or health services but can also be self-referrals. The placing authority arranges funding. However, funding can be arranged through alternative means such as Direct Payments, Independent Living Fund and Supporting People.

Toy Library and Resource Base

The Toy Library and Resource Base provides toys and equipment to children and young people in Fife who are affected by disabilities. Carers are supported to select appropriate equipment and to understand the value of its use. This service

• enables a child to attend their local pre-school or 'Out of school' clubs
• supports inclusion in ordinary settings for children with physical and sensory needs
• enables children to access specialist equipment
• highlights suspected visual impairment.

An informal assessment is made and specialist equipment will be provided such as

• Special gym equipment
• A communication aid to enable the young person to express ideas.
• Puzzles, helping children to make better sense of the world around them.

The service is free, and is a partnership between RNIB Scotland and Fife Childcare Strategy Team.

Community Vision Support Workers

Community Vision Support Workers play a key role in looking after the interests of the person with a learning disability and visual impairment. They bring together the work of optometrists, social services and health services. Their role is to

• meet individuals prior to the optometric assessment
• undertake functional vision assessment
• write a pre-optometrist report outlining presenting problems
• support the individual at their optometrist appointment
• write a plain language vision report containing practical and functional advice for the individual and their carers..

The aim is to enhance the quality of life of the individual through the development of self-help skills, creating opportunity and possibly reducing challenging behaviours.

Training and consultancy service

Our  UK training and consultancy services cover health, social care and education. These services are aimed at professionals, parents, carers and individuals throughout Scotland and the United Kingdom.

Information service

In addition to the general RNIB helpline we provide a free information service. This UK service offers information on relevant to sight difficulties for people with a learning disability and other complex needs such as dementia/stroke/autism

Get in touch

We understand that commissioning services for someone with learning disability and sight loss is a huge responsibility. If you would like to speak to an advisor about creating a bespoke care package, please contact us:

The Service Co-ordinator, West of Scotland
Tel: 0141 772 5588
Email [email protected]

The Service Co-ordinator, West Dumbarton Services 
Tel: 0141 941 1041
Email [email protected]

The Service Co-ordinator, East of Scotland
Tel: 01592 646 015
Email [email protected]

For more information about Self Directed Support (SDS), you can read our SDS page, email [email protected] or call us on 0141 772 5588.