Who can make a referral to the Sensory Support Service, what criteria we use when considering a referral, what happens next.

Who can refer

Most referrals come directly from hospital but we have an open referral system.

You can refer to the service if you're a:

  • health visitor
  • therapist
  • social worker
  • parent
  • teacher
  • early years' practitioner

Criteria for referral

There needs to be evidence of the presence of a vision or hearing impairment, or both.

If medical information is not provided with referral, we will request this before we consider the referral.

How to make a referral

You can make a referral:

  • by phone
  • by letter
  • by email

We have a  document referral form for vision (61 KB) which you can download.

What happens next

Referrals from Newborn Hearing Screening Programme will be followed up as per national targets and contact with family made within 48 hours.

For other referrals: 

  • we consider the medical information provided
  • contact is made
  • if appropriate we will arrange a visit and assessment

For all referrals we use the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NATSIP) eligibility framework and our own matrix of support which is used to decide on the level of support needed at that stage.

Contact us
Sensory Support Service
Elmfield House
Greystoke Avenue
Westbury-on-Trym
BS10 6AY

Phone: 0117 903 8442
Text: 07407 814 763
Email: sensorysupportservice@bristol.gov.uk