ORG17 CQC Key Question: EFFECTIVE | Sensory Support That Works
Effective sensory support should be based on understood needs, appropriate practice, capable staff and evidence of whether the approach works.
Five things to consider
Assess the need
Understand the functional barrier before selecting support.
Use appropriate practice
Choose actions that are relevant to the person and task.
Coordinate support
Sensory information should be available to the people who need it.
Support staff capability
Staff need enough knowledge and confidence to apply agreed approaches.
Look at outcomes
Check whether support produces the intended functional benefit.
Turning this into practical action
✓ Connect assessment findings to practical actions.
✓ Check staff understand how to provide the agreed support.
✓ Coordinate with relevant professionals or services where appropriate.
✓ Review outcomes rather than assuming an intervention is effective.
What this can look like in practice
A communication adjustment is documented and staff are shown how to use it. The organisation then checks whether the person is actually receiving and understanding information more effectively.
Question for your organisation
Can your organisation demonstrate not just what sensory support it provides, but whether that support works?
Important boundary
This resource is Sensory Visionaries’ practical application of sensory support to CQC’s Effective key question; it does not replace current CQC guidance.
Want to take this further?
Effective practice connects assessment, staff capability, implementation and outcomes. If this resource has highlighted gaps in your organisation’s sensory practice, Sensory Visionaries can help, from reviewing what you currently have in place to providing a structured approach through the Sensory Compliance System.