Help us tell the Government to safeguard deaf children

NDCS has responded to two consultations from the National Safeguarding Delivery Unit, highlighting that more needs to be done to ensure that deaf children are safe from harm.  

It is unlikely that most deaf children will ever have the need for support from local child protection services. Sadly, this is not the case for all deaf children. Due to the communication barriers, that deafness can impose deaf children can sometimes experience more difficulty in developing good emotional health and well-being, and are more vulnerable and in need of protection than hearing children.

Despite this, research to be published by NDCS later this month will show that child protection services for deaf children are woefully inadequate in many areas.

NDCS believe that all LSCBs need to ensure that local authorities, health services, police services, and other responsible organisations have in place the necessary arrangements and skilled staff to safeguard deaf children.

In addition, we believe that every deaf child has a right to:

• Provision of specialist equipment that promotes the safety and independence of deaf children, such as, flashing fire alarms and door alerts.
• Guidance, presented in an accessible way, on how to stay safe.
• Services provided by professionals who are knowledgeable about deaf children’s development and are able to communicate fully with them. 
• Specialist help from qualified social workers who understand deafness, and can help them if they should be in need of support or protection at anytime during their childhood.

Government consultations

NDCS responded to a consultation on draft guidance for LSCBs at the end of last month to highlight the above concerns. 

NDCS response to consultation on LSCB guidance (96 kb)

NDCS also responded to the Working Together consultation about changes to guidance for practitioners in February.

NDCS response to Working together to safeguard children consultation (167 kb)

Take action

Please help us campaign for action. Let us know about any experiences you have had or are aware of with social care services and safeguarding of deaf children. We will treat any information provided to us as confidential and anonymise details at your request.

Your stories will be used to demonstrate to the Government why urgent action needs to be taken to support and protect deaf children. 

More information:

National Safeguarding Delivery Unit consultations (external website)

More information on LSCBs (external website)

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