CHSWG Autumn Update

Hi there,

Welcome to our autumn update for Children’s Hearing Services Working Groups (CHSWGs).

Please share with CHSWG members and feel free to share with wider colleagues and parents.

Best wishes,

The Local Engagement team

News for Services (UK wide)

Education

Northern Ireland

We supported a motion which was passed at the recent Ulster Unionist Party Conference recognising the critical importance of specialist educational staff for deaf children.

We have commissioned a project looking at how the Education Authority’s Sensory Service is meeting the needs of deaf children and how the service can be strengthened.

We provided a briefing to Members of the Legislative Assembly in advance of a motion on support for deaf children. Our campaigning work was mentioned several times throughout the debate.

Wales

We have supported parents to attend the Senedd and engage with the Petitions Committee to discuss a petition calling for investment to restore numbers of Teachers of the Deaf.

Last term we contributed to the Children and Young People Education Inquiry, which is seeking to determine if disabled children have equal access to education and childcare. We secured a specific recommendation in their report requesting that the Welsh Government sets out a clear plan to address the gaps in specialist teaching posts, including Teachers of the Deaf.

Unfortunately, Welsh Government recently rejected this recommendation. We are influencing the Inquiry debate due to take place in the Senedd, in November 2024.

Audiology

UK-wide

We were excited to host our first ever webinar for audiology professionals last
month.

We explained how we can support families of deaf children with any level or type of hearing loss and introduced our information and advice offer for audiologists.

If you missed the live event, you’ll be able to catch up online soon. Keep an eye on our website for more details.

Wales

We have supported the National Audiology Board to deliver its consultation sessions with audiology services, the voluntary sector and users. This work is part of the Future Approach Framework, and the Board will use the feedback to develop an action plan.

Early Years

Northern Ireland

We continue to be active members of the Early Education and Childcare All Party Group and the Early Years Communication Alliance.

Other – Health

Scotland

Share your views on Getting it Right for Every Child (GIRFEC)

If you are an audiologist, Teacher of the Deaf, or speech and language therapist we are interested in how well you feel GIRFEC is working for deaf children. We are working with partners to understand what extra support is needed for professionals, so we can create practical guidance on supporting deaf children.

We’d like to explore:

how you have seen GIRFEC promoted to families of deaf children in your area
how well GIRFEC supports deaf children’s needs
what support you need to implement GIRFEC to meet the needs of deaf children.

We can gather your feedback in whichever way works for you, for example, a short online discussion.

Please contact [email protected].

Research

Baby Soundscapes research

We’ve published a report of the findings from a project to explore the early auditory experiences of deaf toddlers. Our goal was to identify if and when radio aids might be helpful, while being mindful of other environmental sounds that it might be important for deaf children to access. A research article on Deafness and Education International is also available separately.

Resources and Training

New and updated resources

Supporting pupils with sensory needs

We’ve worked with The National College, the National Sensory Impairment Partnership, RNIB and The Seashell Trust to create a library of charged-for online training for teachers supporting pupils with sensory impairments. You’ll need to sign up for membership of The National College to access these courses.

Free deaf awareness e-learning
Our Introduction to Deaf Awareness module is the perfect place to start learning about deaf awareness. It only takes about 15 minutes to complete and is CPD accredited.

Specialist Deaf Curriculum Framework

The Specialist Deaf Curriculum Framework supports deaf children, young people and their families to learn about and make informed decisions about their deafness from identification through to adulthood. It aims to help families understand deafness, develop communication skills, build confidence and manage transitions into adulthood.

Explore the framework and its resources

Over the next few months, British Association of Teachers of the Deaf (BATOD) and the National Deaf Children’s Society will be running the first in a series of drop-in sessions, focusing on Section 2 of the framework, which covers language and communication.

Raising a Deaf Child Facilitator Training
5 and 12 February 2025

2pm to 3pm, online
Join our online training workshop to learn how to confidently support parents or carers of deaf children and help them understand the impact deafness can have.

Events and support for parents, deaf children and young people (UK wide)

Online events

Our free online events, led by friendly experts, are a great way for families to get support and meet others in their community. Check out the latest events on our website or on the My NDCS app.

Find out more

Community groups

Did you know we support nearly 100 community groups throughout the UK? Most are run by volunteers, who are often parents of deaf children. Community groups welcome the support of practitioners and professionals in their local area and can work with CHSWGs by gathering feedback, signposting and identifying reps.

Grampian Deaf Children’s Society

Grampian Deaf Children’s Society (GDCS) launched in 2000 and closed in 2023 after being led for 22 years by the same amazing chairperson. The outgoing chair maintained their Facebook page to link up parents and carers, and earlier this year a group of new parents decided to bring the group back.

The group will re-launch early next year. To learn more or support the group please contact [email protected].

Deaf Connect RCT

This is a developing group in the Rhondda Cynon Taff area of Wales. They’re planning a winter event on 29 November to support families with advice about schools, Individual Development Plans (IDPs and benefits. Contact [email protected] for more information or to support the group. You can also signpost families to their community page.

Want to know more about community groups? Visit our website to find out how we help to connect families.

Looking for a local group? Our interactive map shows the location of community groups in the UK. Scroll to your area and click on a pin to view contact details.

No group in your area? We help parents, carers and professionals to set up new groups. Get in touch to find out how we can help: [email protected].

Need advice?
Call: 0808 800 8880 | Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm

Friday 9am to 12.30pm | L[email protected]

Registered Charity: England & Wales (1‍016532) & Scotland (SC040779)

Ground Floor South, Castle House, 37-45 Paul Street London EC2A 4LS

Download My NDCS, a free app to support you and your deaf child.

NDCS CHSWG Autumn 2024 Update