Cuts to deaf children’s services debated by MPs in Parliament

A shortage of Teachers of the Deaf and local authority cuts were discussed by MPs during a Parliamentary debate on deaf children’s services.

The session – secured by Labour’s Jim Fitzpatrick in July – comes after research by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) found that over a third of councils in England are planning to cut £4 million worth of support for deaf children.

Speaking at the start of the session, the Poplar and Limehouse MP mentioned NDCS’ Stolen Futures campaign, saying the planned cuts “are putting the education of thousands of deaf children at risk, leaving their futures hanging in the balance”.

“I believe it is true to say that on education, deaf children are 42% less likely to achieve the top grades than their hearing peers, but there is no reason a deaf child should do any worse than a hearing child given the appropriate teaching opportunity, and that’s the historic perspective.

“The worry for the deaf community and many colleagues here is not only that the situation is deteriorating, but that it is looking unlikely to improve – indeed, it could get worse,” he said.

Mr Fitzpatrick then went on to add: “Vital services for deaf children must be adequately funded both now and in the next spending review, and it is that review which has caused this debate.”

Conservative MP Peter Aldous, a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Deafness, also spoke during the session, citing deaf pupil Daniel Jillings’ campaign to introduce a British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE and his experience in school.

“He has been able to make excellent progress throughout his education,” the Suffolk politician said. “[Daniel’s mother] Ann is very clear that this is because of the support that he received from both specialist Teachers of the Deaf and communication support workers.

“This confirms that provided deaf children receive the right support, right from the start, there is no reason why they cannot thrive, and break through any glass ceilings that might get in their way.”

Other speakers included Liberal Democrat Stephen Lloyd MP, the SNP’s equalities spokesperson Angela Crawley MP and Blaydon’s MP Liz Twist, who opened a debate on introducing a BSL GCSE in March.

Nadhim Zahawi, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, responded by saying that he will be meeting with NDCS on 29 October and that he is “determined that all children and young people who are deaf or have a hearing impairment receive the support they need to achieve the success they deserve”.

The minister confirmed that the Government is keeping the level of core school funding “under careful review”, and that it will be an issue that they are “discussing with ministerial colleagues in the Treasury as part of the next spending review”.

Mr Zahawi also said that £23 million of additional funding has been committed to local authorities to review their SEND provision, with £265 million being invested in councils to help them “develop provision for children and young people with education, health and care plans”.

The Stratford-upon-Avon MP later went on to add: “We have asked Ofsted to consider how our accountability system can sufficiently reward schools for their work with pupils who need extra support, and encourage schools to focus on all pupils, not just the highest achievers.”

In a blog post after the debate, NDCS’ Head of Policy and Research Ian Noon said: “We were hoping for positive words and action from the Minister, Nadhim Zahawi. But, while he indicated that funding was being kept ‘under review’, there was little else for us to go on.

“Frustratingly, there was a run-through of all the different bits of funding that the Government has in this area. All of this missing the point that a) it’s not enough and b) often this funding is not aimed at front-line staff who support deaf children.

“For example, there’s still no money out there focused on making sure we have more Teachers of the Deaf coming through the system.

“So, the Stolen Futures campaign goes on, and we’ll keep on raising these issues with the Government until they take action.”

The full Parliamentary debate is available with BSL interpretation on the ParliamentLive.tv website, with a transcript available online.

Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and makes the occasional video about deaf awareness on his YouTube channel. He can also be found talking about disability, politics, theatre, books and music on his Twitter, or on his blog, The Life of a Thinker.