Joanne Woodhouse-Roberts: Do you know about the proposed EHCP changes and what they mean for deaf children? (BSL)

My name is Joanne, I am Deaf and I teach BSL .

I come across a wealth of information from my learners as well as tapping into many social media platforms.

There is something that has been worrying me for some time. The Deaf community appears to know very little or have zero information about the proposed changes to Education Health Care Plans (EHCP)

Parents of Deaf children seem to be in the dark and this is something surely we should all be all signing about from the rooftops?

It’s something as a community we should want to oppose as this will affect Deaf children and young adults today and generations to come.

Do you have a Deaf child with an EHCP?

Are you currently applying for an EHCP?

Are you aware of the possible changes?

Are you aware of how this may affect your child/children?

If you don’t know, why not?!

What is an EHCP? This is a legal document that clearly outlines the needs of a child or a young person who requires support at school, college or needs to attend a specialised school.

For example, a Deaf child may need 20 hours of BSL support in the classroom every week where the communicator should have BSL level 4 or higher, or another example where a Deaf child needs to be in a Deaf environment with other native signers. (Deaf school)

If the local authority fails or declines to meet a Deaf child’s needs at school, parents and carers who have a EHCP have the right to attend a tribunal to enforce provision to match the needs of the child stated in the EHCP documentation.

Without an EHCP it will be more difficult to compel local authorities to provide that to which your child is legally entitled.

The EHCP document is worth gold, it gives parents and carers legal POWER.

The government plans to make some key changes to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) They include: 

Reducing Eligibility (By 2035)

• Targeted Support: EHCPs will be reserved specifically for children with the most complex needs.

• Individual Support Plans (ISPs): Children with less complex needs will move from EHCPs to new, digital “Individual Support Plans” (ISPs).

The question is will Deaf children still receive EHCPs? Will Deafness come under the umbrella of ‘complex needs? What does Individual Support plans mean for Deaf children?

Why is this happening? To save government money, and reduce the demand of needing to go to tribunals.

I have been working with Renata Watts, one of the co-directors at ‘Special Needs Jungle’. She has been working tirelessly behind the scenes alongside others in Special Needs Jungle as well as other organisations and charities promoting children’s legal rights.

For more information please click on ‘Save Our Children’s Rights’

https://saveourchildrensrights.org.uk/

2 BSL videos are available to view with more information.

A protest has been arranged on 9th May at 11:30am-1:30pm, meeting at Parliament Square.

There will be a number of speakers present, some well known and some quite young. BSL interpreters will also be there.

What can you do to help?

* Join/come to the protest

* Write to your MP

* Join the photo campaign.

* Sign from the rooftops and share this important information with parents and organisations everywhere and anywhere!

Contact https://saveourchildrensrights.org.uk/ for more information or if you prefer contact me on woodrobbsl@gmail.com

Please join us on 9th May at 11:30. We need your support, in order to support your children.

By Joanne Woodhouse-Roberts