Charity responds to Welsh Government report

Following the publication of the Children, Young People and Education (CYPE) Committee’s reports on access to education and childcare for disabled children; and the implementation of education reforms, Hazel Badjie, Head of Policy and Influencing in Wales for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said:  

“The CYPE Committee’s two reports paint a bleak picture of thousands of children across Wales missing out on the vital support they desperately need to thrive because of a postcode lottery. No child with additional learning needs should miss out on support because of where they live or go to school. 

“It’s crucial for schools and local authorities to be fully equipped to support deaf children all through their education, if they are to provide them with the best chances in life. But sadly, as the Committee notes in its reports, this is currently not the case.  

“Schools desperately need more support to effectively put in place the Additional Learning Needs (ALN) reforms, so we welcome the inclusion of our concerns in the reports’ findings. We back the call to ensure Individual Development Plans (IDPs) are not being denied to children due to resource constraints.” 

The reports also acknowledge the National Deaf Children’s Society’s concerns over the dwindling numbers of Teachers of the Deaf in Wales.   

Ms Badjie continued: “We told the committee about the vital role a Teacher of the Deaf plays in a deaf child’s life. We are greatly encouraged by the Committee’s recommendation which calls on the Welsh Government to set up a clear plan to address gaps in Teachers of the Deaf numbers as one-in-five have been lost in Wales since 2011.  

“It is now crystal clear to the Welsh Government what they must do to make sure every deaf child gets the support they need. We look forward to the opportunity of working with them, along with local authorities and the health boards,” Ms Badjie added.