Joining a Children's Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG)

CHSWGs are groups of parents and professionals who work with deaf children and young people to improve local services including health, education and social care. 

There are more than 130 CHSWGs across the UK and most have 10 to 15 members.

Get in touch with us at localengagement@ndcs.org.uk if you’re interested in joining a CHSWG in your area.

What CHSWGs do

Most CHSWGs meet 3 or 4 times a year. A chair guides each meeting through the agenda and groups use action plans to help them work on priorities for their local area. These might include:

• improving waiting times for ear, nose and throat (ENT) appointments
• improving transitions into adult audiology services
• providing opportunities for children of all ages to learn British Sign Language

Each group member – also known as a representative or 'rep' – can share their views and raise issues that are affecting deaf children and young people.

Meetings last about 2 hours and may take place during the day or in the evening.

How you can get involved – parents

Parents, carers and deaf young people are perfectly placed to share their views and gather feedback from other families about local services for deaf children. By volunteering at a CHSWG you’ll be helping to improve support for deaf children and families in your area.

Email localengagement@ndcs.org.uk to find out how you can get involved.

If you're already attending meetings and would like to link with other parent reps via social media, then there is a dedicated Facebook page run by parents that you can ask to join.

How you can get involved – professionals

For professionals supporting deaf children and their families, CHSWGSs offer the opportunity to work together with parents to shape services. You’ll play a key role in making sure families and deaf young people have a voice at your CHSWG.

CHSWGs should have representatives from all statutory sector and voluntary organisations who have a significant interest in local children’s hearing services.  

See the NHS ‘What works’ guide (pdf) for more information on which professions should be represented at CHSWGs.

How we can support you

We can introduce you to your local CHSWG members and answer any questions you have ahead of your first meeting. We have representatives attending most CHSWG meetings who are there to make sure the views of deaf children, young people and their families are considered and acted upon.