The NDCS has issued a statement following an outcry on social media to the news that the charity will no longer offer tailored one-day and residential youth events for deaf children with additional complex needs.
A letter was sent out to parents last week, which stated that the charity’s youth events would now be targeted “at the many deaf children and young people who aren’t eligible for local authority social care.”
Deaf children with complex needs are eligible for social care services under the Children’s Act (1989) and the charity’s letter stated that those children would no longer be able to attend one day and residential youth events.
This news sparked a series of concerned responses online, with one parent posting on the NDCS Facebook page with this comment:
In line with other parents and families on here, the letter regarding withdrawal of services to children with needs additional to deafness arrived in my inbox. While appreciating the need for all services to reduce expenditures, the NDCS appears to have very unrealistic expectations of what local authorities actually provide for children with disabilities, whether with or without complex needs. As has been said already, this decision only serves to isolate further an already isolated and excluded group of children and families.
The charity has now responded saying that the change is due to new requirements from Ofsted. In a statement, Susan Daniels, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society said:
“The introduction of regulations for residential holiday schemes for disabled children require NDCS and similar organisations to comply with Ofsted requirements (and equivalent regulatory bodies across the UK).
“Unfortunately, to ensure regulatory compliance, we have reluctantly concluded that we are unable to meet the support requirements of a small number of deaf children with additional complex needs at our residential events.We recognise the value of these events for families, and that this news will be distressing for affected parents.
“Other NDCS support for these children is unaffected, and we will continue to provide them with our range of services, including our network of expert family officers.
“NDCS is committed to supporting deaf children in the way which best meets the needs of that particular child, where we have the skills and expertise to do so.
“NDCS will consult with affected parents over the coming year to understand how we can best support those children who face little or no alternative or statutory provision. In the meantime any questions should be directed to: helpline@ndcs.org.uk.“
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sharrison64
December 5, 2014
I am a former Manager of Community Development at the NDCS, who had responsibility for the residential holiday schemes that were inherited after the merger of FYD and NDCS (2000-2003).
It is frustrating to learn that the NDCS are unable to provide the resources required to meet OfSTED regulations.
This needs to be taken up with the DfE and something akin to the Pupil Premium should be introduced to enable the NDCS to continue meeting the needs of all D/deaf children and young people regardless of their needs especially in line with the new SEND regulations.
kimberley Alexander
December 5, 2014
Lies and discrimination. Ndcs should be ashamed of themselves. EVERY deaf child matters.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/394735107356229
Families of deaf children with additional needs will not stop till we get inclusion
MumtoJ
December 6, 2014
I wish the NDCS are the first and only Deaf voluntary organisation to give the message that Every Deaf Child matters unless that child has needs additional to Deafness. I hate to say this but Deaf children and adults with disabilities really don’t tend to get a great deal of respect and consideration from some orgnisations in the Deaf community so not surprised the NDCS have jumped on the lazy bandwagon. Targetting the most vulnerable seems to be a great political action of the moment, so why should it come as any surprise to us that the most vulnerable children are yet again at the receiving end of a rough deal? Thank you to my Deaf friends for your neverending support. One day, it may not matter that a child has additional needs to Deafness. Every Deaf child might really matter and there really might be a drive for a world without barriers.
kimberley Alexander
December 6, 2014
Have you joined our Facebook page? Link above. We above. US parents can make a change in numbers and show we are not a minority.