Become a Specialist Assessor

Evaluation in Needs of Deafblind Adults (Specialist Assessor Course)​

Signature (previously known as CACDP) and DBE have worked to develop specialist deafblind training to meet the requirements of the Care Act, 2014 for specialist assessors, equipping staff with the relevant skills to work competently with deafblind people.
The Care Act, 2014, contains mandatory guidance with specific reference to deafblind people and their carers’. It states that every person has the right to a specialist assessment facilitated by a person with a Level 3 NVQ. The NVQ was replaced by the QCF in 2015, which in turn was replaced by the RQF in 2018. There are other courses available - beware that they are not accredited to Level 3.

There are two modules:

• Signature DK301 – Understanding Congenital Deafblindness Using a Person-Centred Approach
• Signature DK302 – Insights into Mobility and Implications for Communication with Deafblind Individuals.

Deafblind Communication qualifications - Level 2 to Level 3 - Signature

All students are required to hold the Signature Level 2 Award in Communicating and Guiding DBG2 qualification prior to enrolling on Level 3. Students holding an equivalent qualification will be required to gain the qualification by attending a refresher course or assessment prior to starting Level 3.

This certificated course, which Debbie James has been responsible for creating and delivering for over 10 years, is designed for professionals who are undertaking an assessment role with people who have sight and hearing loss to meet the Care Act, 2014 and Guidance "Care and Support for Deafblind Children and Adults", 2014.

Once completed the above Signature Level 3 Evaluating the Needs, you go onto the Specialist Assessment training day. This training day consists of good practice techniques, dilemmas and challenges and brings together the above training to reinforce competence and meet the Care Act 2024 requirements.