Research suggests deaf children are ‘invisible on social care radar’

New research into social care provision for deaf children and their families in England highlights that their needs are often unrecognised and unmet.

The research report, commissioned by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) and carried out by The University of Manchester, concludes that the formation of integrated Children’s Service departments following the Children Act 2004 has a detrimental impact on deaf children and their families unless specific investment has been made in specialist social care provision.

Researchers looked at a representative sample of Local Authorities (LAs) to examine the impact of integrated Children’s Services department on the scope, delivery and quality of social care services for deaf children and their families.

The findings revealed that deaf children were largely invisible on the social care radar. Prior to the Children Act 2004, social care support for deaf children in many areas was provided by a specialist Sensory Service supporting both deaf adults and children. The formation of Children’s Services departments had created uncertainty over who is responsible for the provision of social care for deaf children. 

The new research provides strong evidence that in many areas the new structures hinder the identification of deaf children’s needs, the appropriate provision of services by suitably skilled and knowledgeable practitioners and effective joint working practices with deafness related colleagues in education and health services.

Deaf children are more vulnerable to abuse and mental ill health than their hearing peers and as such access to appropriate social care on a preventative basis is vitally important. Yet researchers identified that LAs often view deafness only as a physical impairment that can be adequately remediated through the provision of hearing aids. A social model of deafness that would identify the potential complexity of deaf children’s linguistic and social development challenges was missing.  Eligibility criteria and thresholds for services were set so high in the teams now responsible for deaf children and their families, that parents were finding it almost impossible to receive a service from social care professionals unless in extreme crisis.

Lead researcher Alys Young, Professor of Social Work Research in the University’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, said: “Where Local Authorities had made a specific investment in deaf children and families’ social care, through specialist teams or team arrangements, then we found clear evidence of professionals working preventatively with deaf children and their families to boost deaf children’s social, linguistic and developmental experiences.” 

“Where no such arrangements exist, it is almost impossible for a family with a deaf child to receive an holistic assessment of their strengths and needs,” continued Young. “Social care professionals inexperienced in deafness too easily conclude that no social care provision is required and few resources are allocated.”

Brian Gale, NDCS Director of Policy and Campaigns, added: “Having clear lines of accountability is crucial to safeguarding children and NDCS is extremely concerned that this new research highlights considerable uncertainty over responsibility. We are equally concerned that some of the most vulnerable children who may find themselves in complex and challenging circumstances cannot access support from social workers with the knowledge, experience and training to meet their needs.

“We know that deaf children are more likely to suffer from abuse and mental ill health than hearing children, and it is very worrying that in a number of areas support is only available when matters hit crisis point,” said Gale. “This is not at all consistent with Government policy which promotes early intervention.”    

Such was the concern over the health and wellbeing of deaf children that, in 2006, the Government recommended that all Area Children Protection Committees throughout England (now called Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards - LSCB) reviewed their child protection arrangements for deaf children. However, few if any reviews have been undertaken. NDCS is therefore calling on the Government to take urgent action to address the failure to implement one of its own recommendations.

Download the report

The impact of integrated Children’s Services on the scope, delivery and quality of social care services for deaf children and families (2429 kb)