Islington Sensory Team

Our sensory team provides specialist support to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired or have a combined sensory loss (deaf/blind).

Our aim is to provide services which are fair and equitable to all depending on the risk.

What the sensory team does

The Sensory team assess sensory needs and then provide equipment, rehabilitation training, advice and support. We maintain a register for people who are blind, partially sighted, deaf, hard of hearing and deaf/blind. 

You can request support from the Sensory Team by contacting the Access and Advice Service on 020 7527 2299 or email access.service@islington.gov.uk

Covid-19 impact on services

  • Please note that all duty services are not currently functioning due to Covid-19 and the related risks to providing these services.

We are Islington helpline

Contact We are Islington if you need support, for example, if you are self-isolating and struggling financially. You can even call for a friendly chat or for information about staying healthy and well. 

Call the We are Islington helpline on 020 7527 8222 or minicom on 020 7527 1900. Lines are open every day from 9am to 5pm.

For British Sign Language (BSL), use Signvideo. Lines are open Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm, Saturday from 9am to 1pm, Sunday closed.

You can also email: weareislington@islington.gov.uk

Visually impaired services

To receive Visual Impairment related services from Islington Sensory team you must live in Islington and have a medical sight loss.

You do not need to be certified by an Eye Hospital. 

We offer the following services:

  • Specialist assessment or generic Care act compliant assessment. Where it is deemed that a package of care is needed, we will refer you to one of our social work teams for an assessment.
  • Up to six-weeks route based Mobility training
  • Up to six-weeks Independent Living skills training
  • Provision of and training in the use of basic Visual Impairment related equipment, which will change from time to time
  • Training in best practice when using reading aids, like magnifiers
  • Lighting needs assessments
  • Registration and placing clients on the Islington register of Blind/SSI and Partially Sighted upon receipt, transfer of BD8 or Certificate of Visual impairment (CVI)
  • Low Vision Centre referrals to Royal National Institute for Blind people (RNIB)
  • internal referral related to Occupational Therapy
  • Reading, befriending related referrals to Blindaid
  • Referral to British wireless for the blind fund dependent on means tested criteria
  • Referrals to Blind Veterans subject to their criteria
  • Referral to Metro blind sports

We do not provide ongoing Mobility or Independent Living skills training.

Deaf and hard of hearing services

Services available:

  • Specialist assessment
  • Social work or care management support
  • Equipment
  • Registration
  • Deaf Welfare Advice Service
  • Duty services: Appointments or drop in on Thursdays, 9.30am to 12.30pm at 222 Upper Street, N1 1XR.

Dual Sensory Loss services

Services available:

  • Specialist assessment
  • Rehabilitation/mobility training
  • Equipment
  • Registration of receipt of Certificate of Visual Impairment or Audiogram
  • Duty services: please see the duty services for visually impaired and deaf and hard of hearing

Dual Welfare Rigts Advice Services (DWRAS)

Services available:

  • BSL translation
  • Council issues such as housing and repairs, Council Tax, Housing Benefits
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP 1 and 2) forms
  • Welfare benefit check and advice about other benefits available
  • Letter and form translation (welfare, benefits, appointments)
  • Debt advice (credit cards, bailiffs, store cards)
  • Support with HMRC information such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
  • Referrals for equipment and Access Team
  • Duty services - drop in sessions: Tuesdays from 9am to 4pm

Sometimes DWRAS may have to refer or signpost you to other organisations that can help you. These may include immigration or passport issues, legal advice, the sign language interpreter team or Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) employment services.

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