Celebrating Collaboration

Scottish Visual Services Steering Group (SVSSG) have successfully reinstated the Graduate Low Vision Rehabilitation Course.

The Scottish Sensory Hub disseminated a survey to capture base-line information regarding the Vision Rehabilitation/Habilitation Workforce across Scotland, prompted by concerns from the sector in relation to an impending crisis in provision and delivery of Vision Rehabilitation Services.

Timely and unimpeded access to Rehabilitation (Adults) and Habilitation (Children and Young People) is vital in supporting individuals to adjust practically and emotionally, when they encounter sight loss or deterioration in an existing eye condition. Such services enable adults, children and young people to develop positive coping strategies, adapt daily living tasks and acquire Mobility and Orientation skills, thereby retaining employment, continuing with education and living self-determined, fulfilled lives.

The survey revealed that 59% of Rehabilitation Officers and 67% of Habilitation Officers are over 50 years-old. This ageing workforce and lack of qualification pathway in Scotland combined to create a perfect storm. A small group of Rehabilitation Service providers, the Scottish Sensory Hub and Glasgow Caledonian University joined forces, with the goal of reinstating the Graduate Low Vision Rehabilitation Course, GCU, (which had been dormant for five years),  with the aim to increase the numbers of qualified Rehabilitation Officers across Scotland.

The Scottish Sensory Hub, Visibility Scotland, Sight Scotland, RNIB Scotland, Guide Dogs, the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network and Glasgow Caledonian University, formed the Scottish Visual Services Steering Group (SVSSG) in August 2021.

In April 2022, directed and supported by Gillian Heavie and Susan Shippey, the Scottish Government’s Support for Sensory Loss and Augmentative and Alternative Communication Team and the SVSSG collaboratively produced Short and Long Term Proposals, outlining positive steps to avoid a crisis in provision of Vision Rehabilitation services.

In July this year, a survey circulated by the Scottish Sensory Hub captured support from the sight loss sector to commit to fund places on the Graduate Low Vision Rehabilitation Course, if reinstated. The SVSSG attracted funding from the Alliance and Thomas Pocklington Trust, enabling places with 50% subsidy to be offered to Third Sector Organisations and Health and Social Care Partnerships.

In early September, the Graduate Low Vision Rehabilitation Course gained approval and will commence in January 2023, with a cohort of 20 students.

The Scottish Visual Services Steering Group are utterly delighted to have attained our initial goal of reinstating the Graduate Low Vision Rehabilitation Course. We have all gained from the experience and importantly realised that when we work collectively and speak with the one voice, we are so much more powerful and can effect positive change!

We are now moving on to the next phase of this exciting work, as we prepare to support the development and delivery of the course. Please do continue to check the Alliance’s social media platforms, where we will share more exciting news on the course in the coming months.

Members of the Scottish Visual Services Steering Group (SVSSG):

SVSSG Chair Person: Laura Walker, Visibility Scotland – Laura.Walker@visibilityscotland.org.uk

Colin Hilditch, Sight Scotland: colin.hilditch@sightscotland.org.uk

James Adams, RNIB Scotland: James.Adams@rnib.org.uk

Gillian Hallard, RNIB Scotland: Gillian.Hallard@rnib.org.uk

Peter Lock, Guide Dogs: Peter.Lock@guidedogs.org.uk

Lisa Petrie, Guide Dogs: Lisa.Petrie@guidedogs.org.uk

Simon Labbette, Rehabilitation Workers’ Professional Network: simon.labbett@bradford.gov.uk

Dr Nadia Northway, GCU: N.Northway@gcu.ac.uk

Sara Redmond, The ALLIANCE: Sara.Redmond@alliance-scotland.org.uk

Cathy Low, Thomas Pocklington Trust: cathy.low@pocklington-trust.org.uk

Gillian Heavie, SG Sensory Impairment and ACC: Gillian.Heavie@gov.scot

Susan Shippey, SG Sensory Impairment: Susan.Shippey@gov.scot

Natasha Johnson, Visibility Scotland:

Natasha.Johnston@visibilityscotland.org.uk

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