Vision rehabilitation represents a key aspect of the support provided to someone living with sight loss, playing a fundamental role in helping to ensure that someone can maintain or re-establish their independence. This support is typically provided by a professional known as a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS). With ongoing workforce pressures and shortages however, providers are increasingly turning to assistant roles to help fill gaps in support.
In response, a new piece of cross-sector research has explored specialists’ perspectives on these roles, and the potential risks and benefits that might need to be considered. This research, commissioned by the cross-sector Vision Partnership (comprised of Blind Veterans UK, Glaucoma UK, Guide Dogs, Macular Society, RNIB, Thomas Pocklington Trust and Visionary), was conducted by a researcher working at Guide Dogs, and engaged with a range of VRS, assistants and managers from across local authorities and charities.
Perceived benefits, such as more support for clients and increased opportunities for the delivery of complex interventions, generally outweighed practitioners’ concerns. The observed variation in perspectives regarding role remits and training, however, highlights the range of different approaches that may exist without the development of clearer sector-wide guidance. Practitioners also highlighted key areas where VRS support cannot be compromised without possible missed opportunities for signposting or potential risks to client safety.
With some of the topics explored by this survey remaining unresolved for more than 15 years, similar queries being confronted across allied health fields, and pressures mounting on existing vision rehabilitation services, now is the time for action in this space. The crucial next step is the development of a universal guidance approach that sets out a clear framework for the assistant role, and its place alongside, but never in replacement of, specialist VRS. Inclusion of factors such as minimum training standards, clear task boundaries, CPD opportunities and how to support assistants with recognising when to delegate, are recommended.
