The Visual Impairment service - Find a freedom of information request

Please could you provide the following information:

1. Do you offer an in-house visual impairment service? If so, please describe what kind of service is provided? (For example, is visual impairment rehabilitation provided? Community mobility training?) 

2. Do you provide equipment?  

3. Do your Visual Impairment officers apply for grants for equipment? 

4. If provision is outsourced - who provides this service? 

5. How many visual impairment officers do you currently have (including senior &/or junior)? 

6. What is the number of referrals that the service receives per financial year? 

7. What is the current waiting time for an initial assessment? 

8. What are the current salary scales for a junior Visual Impairment Officer?  

9. What are the current salary scales for a senior Visual Impairment Officer? 

We would also like to know if you would be happy for us to share responses with other local authorities who may be interested in this research; We are happy to provide our own response with these.  
 

1. Yes there is an in-house VI service including a Specialist Habilitation Officer

2. A LCC provide some equipment through the service, some through the HNF/EHC plans, and some though a commissioned service Lincolnshire Sensory Services.

3.No 2

4. N/a

5. 6 individuals (5.5 WTE)

6. There were 55 referrals in 2021-2022 7. We aim to initiate all assessments within 25 working days. Between April and July children have been waiting an average of 51 working days for assessment but the usual service will resume in September. 8/9. A Junior visual impairment officers start, as a minimum, on £27,984 rising to £30,193 when qualified.