How we will achieve our aims
To achieve our aims, we will:
- Ask service users and their carers if they have any communication needs. These needs could relate to a disability, impairment or sensory loss. We will establish what these needs are.
- Identify information and communication needs, as well as required mechanisms:
- when people first interact or register with our service
- as part of ongoing or routine interaction with our service by existing service users
- Record on a person's adult care record their communication need and how it can be met.
- Flag a communication need on a person's adult care record. It will clearly show:
- the person has a communication need
- details on how the communication need can be met
- Ensure any information or communication needs of a service user or carer are included when referring them to an NHS or adult social care provider. We will only share information when consent has been given.
- Ensure that people obtain information in an accessible way and can access communication support where needed:
- All information will be available in formats which meet guidelines to be more accessible than standard.
- When required, we will provide information in further accessible formats. We might not always provide information the way someone prefers, but we will make sure they can access and understand it.
- Interpreters and other communication professionals will:
- have appropriate qualifications
- have Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance
- be signed up to the relevant professional code of conduct
- We will provide alternative contact methods for people with information and communication needs.
- Plan and budget for providing information in alternative formats so it can be provided in a timely manner. Providing information in alternative formats will form a core part of our business.