Stop cuts to deaf children’s education support charity calls

A charity is calling on the government to stop local authorities making cuts in vital services to support deaf children.

According to the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) education money providing support to children in schools and protected by the government has not stopped two specialist teachers of the deaf being scrapped by Somerset County Council.

The charity fears these cuts and cuts to children’s deaf services made by at least 27 other local authorities will stop children getting a fair chance to achieve at school.

“We are calling on the Secretary of State to launch an investigation and explain why front-line services are being cut from budget he said would be protected,” says OBE and Chief Executive of NDCS, Susan Daniels.

“We are appalled at these cuts to vital education services for deaf children in Somerset.  We urgently need parents to join the campaign to save these vital services.”

As the NDCS launches its national Save Services for Deaf Children Campaign, Ms Daniels adds: “The support being taken away is not an optional extra, it is absolutely crucial for deaf children’s learning and development, particularly as they are already underachieving compared to other children. We are so alarmed about the long-term impact of these cuts that we will support families in legally challenging reductions to services their child receives.”

Research conducted by NDCS shows that 96 per cent of parents of deaf children are worried their child’s education will suffer due to the cuts.

Their worries are not unfounded. Despite deafness not being considered a learning disability, 65 per cent of deaf children fail to get 5 GCSEs at grades A* – C, including those important English and Maths subjects.

Parents who are concerned about cuts to support for their deaf child can contact the NDCS freephone helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text) or email helpline@ndcs.org.uk
 www.ndcs.org.uk/save