Challenging Warwickshire on traded services

NDCS has launched a campaign to challenge Warwickshire council’s decision to move to “traded services” which risks resulting in some deaf children going without the help they need.

“Traded services” means that the council will “sell” any support that a deaf child needs to the school. For example, the school will pay a fixed sum of money for an hour of support from an expert Teacher of the Deaf. Traditionally, such services are provided free at the point of delivery to parents and schools. NDCS believes that the help that deaf children receive should be determined by what they need and not by what the school is willing or able to buy-back. Traded services also relies on schools knowing what specialist support deaf children need to make good progress.

NDCS is concerned that Warwickshire council have moved to traded services for deaf children without a statement without following the proper legal processes or without informing parents. The council have not yet responded to NDCS’s requests for information on the funding arrangements, leading to fears that this is effectively a cut.

Warwickshire council has also cut help to deaf children with additional needs who are in special schools. Instead, staff within the special school have received additional training. The council assert this is the most effective way to support these children. NDCS is seeking further information about this.

NDCS is working with parents in Warwickshire to challenge these decisions. Parents who want to support the campaign or who are concerned can contact the NDCS Freephone Helpline at 0808 800 8880 or email campaigns@ndcs.org.uk.   

More information:

NDCS webpage on Warwickshire Save Services campaign

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