Lamb inquiry report offers brighter future for deaf children

NDCS is delighted by the recommendations in the Lamb inquiry on special educational needs (SEN) and looks forward to seeing the Government take action on them as soon as possible.

Jo Campion, NDCS Head of Campaigns, said:

“Too many parents tell NDCS of their frustration at having to battle the system to make sure their deaf child can fulfill their potential. The Lamb inquiry offers hope to the parents of the 45,000 deaf children in the UK and it is great to see that their views have been taken on board. With deaf children under achieving at schools across England, Government action to improve the SEN system cannot come quickly enough.”

NDCS particularly welcomes the recommendations made by the final Lamb inquiry report on: 

1. Improvements to Ofsted SEN inspection arrangements. NDCS has encountered several examples in past years of Ofsted inspectors of deaf units lacking expertise on deafness and being unable to communicate directly with deaf children. 
2. New rights for parents to appeal on statements. If a deaf child's statement is not updated to reflect their changing needs, parents will now be able to appeal against this decision. NDCS has encountered examples of statements not being updated. For example, of statements for deaf children aged 11 still including references to toilet training.
3. Changes to disability discrimination legislation to ensure that schools are required to provide auxilliary aids and services including, for example, microphones. Currently, schools are only required to provide this equipment if a deaf child has a statement.
4. A new independent national helpline to support families of children with SEN. The NDCS freephone helpline received over 9000 calls in the past year, many of which were from parents concerned about their deaf child’s education.

The Government is expected to report back on its response to the report, and whether it will implement all of its recommendations, at the end of January. 

NDCS submitted evidence to the Lamb inquiry on the views and experiences of parents of deaf children throughout the past year.

Lamb inquiry into special educational needs (external website)

NDCS summary of final Lamb inquiry report (124 kb)

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