Developing Integrated Support for Deafblind People: Social Services Going it Alone? Available to Purchase

This paper considers recent guidance on social care for deafblind adults and children issued to local authorities in March 2001 by the Department of Health under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970. It uses Staffordshire Social Services Department's response to the guidance as a case study to identify areas of good practice and make practical suggestions for implementation. The guidance places the responsibility for improving provision to deafblind people squarely on social services, rather than including other agencies such as health and education. The paper argues that this may be hindering the development of integrated services.