Support for Deaf Service Users & BSL Interpreter Provision in Social Care
Please provide the following information for the period 1st April 2025 - 31st March 2026: 1. Does the Local Authority record whether a service user is Deaf, hard of hearing, or a British Sign Language (BSL) user within Adult and/or Children's Social Services? a. If yes, please state how this information is recorded. 2. Within Adult Social Services and Children's Social Services, how many service users are currently recorded as: a) Deaf b) Hard of hearing c) Deaf blind d) BSL users? 3. Does the Local Authority record communication needs for Deaf service users (e.g. requirement for a BSL interpreter)? a. If yes, how? b. If yes, are these needs routinely flagged for future engagement or assessments? 4. Does the Local Authority provide professional BSL interpreters for Deaf service users? a. Please confirm whether this includes assessments, reviews, safeguarding processes, and statutory meetings. 5. Please provide the total number of BSL interpreter bookings made in each year during the period, across Adult and Children's Social Services. 6. In the same period, how many engagements with Deaf service users took place where a BSL interpreter was: a. a) Requested b. b) Provided c. c) Requested but not provided 7. Does the Local Authority have a written policy or guidance relating to accessible communication or working with Deaf service users within Social Services? 8. Do you offer alternative methods to telephone communication for deaf people when contacting your service? If so, please specify which methods are available. For the avoidance of doubt: - Please include information held electronically and in hard copy. If the requested information is held in more than one format, please provide all versions. If any of the information is exempt, please specify which exemption is being relied upon and provide any information that can be disclosed.