NDCS map shows local authorities failing to protect deaf children's services

Almost one in five local authorities across England have cut education services for deaf children, despite the education budget being protected by the Government.

A new NDCS online interactive map shows cuts in 28 local authorities across England and highlights that a further 24 local authorities are at high risk of making cuts. In some local authorities, cuts to frontline staff, such as Teachers of the Deaf, are as much as 50 per cent.

NDCS is now redoubling our campaign efforts to save services for deaf children, by:

• Asking our supporters to contact their MP about the cuts being made across England
• Calling on the Department for Education to launch an investigation into why frontline services are not being protected by local authorities, when the schools budget has been protected
• Launching the Save Services for Deaf Children map, which shows where services are under threat
• Refreshing our guide for parents on saving these vital services, where they are being cut or are at risk

NDCS is concerned and angry that, despite being a legal requirement, 96 per cent of local authorities did not consult parents about these cuts.  NDCS faced resistance from local authorities to disclose cuts to services in their area and had to issue 45 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to obtain the data.

In many cases, NDCS has only became aware of cuts after concerns were raised by parents. Over 700 parents responded to a recent NDCS survey about their local services and cuts which has provided us with invaluable information. NDCS would like to thank all parents who responded to the survey and who have continued to campaign to save their local services for deaf children.

With the launch of the new online interactive map, please take a look to see what we know about what’s happening where you live and share with us any information or experiences on local services. With many local authorities failing making cuts by the back door, NDCS is relying on parents to help us identify where any reduction are or are not being made.  

More information

• NDCS interactive Save Services for Deaf Children map
  
• NDCS Save Services for Deaf Children campaign homepage
  
• Save services for deaf children campaigning guide (1005 kb)
  
• Read the press release here >

Your recent comments

There are currently no comments on this page.