One-to-one support
We offer a range of one-to-one support to parents and carers of deaf children and deaf young people. Whether you need information and advice, someone to chat to or specialist support relating to disability benefits and education, we can help.
How to get support
If you'd like one-to-one support with any aspect of childhood deafness, contact our Helpline.
Our friendly Helpline advisors are here to:
- provide emotional support
- answer your questions
- explain your different options
If you're a parent of a deaf child, they can help you make choices that work best for you and your child.
Our Helpline advisors may connect you with our team of experts if you need:
- support in your local community
- support to challenge a disability benefits decision
- support to appeal an education decision
Find out more about our Helpline
Support in your community
Our advice and guidance officers support families of deaf children and deaf young people within their communities.
They can give one-to-one advice and guidance on a range of topics including:
- education
- communication
- social care
- discrimination
- independence
- disability benefits
Our advice and guidance officers can help you understand your options and get the best from services where you live. They are committed to making sure families have what they need for their child.
To get support from an advice and guidance officer, you'll need to be referred by our Helpline.
Do you live in the south of England?
We're expanding the one-to-one support we provide in communities, starting in the south of England. Our new community connectors are parents or carers of deaf children themselves. They understand how vital the right support is from the moment your child is identified as deaf – and they're ready to help.
Support to challenge a disability benefits decision
Our disability benefits specialists support parents and families of deaf children through a virtual callback service, providing time-limited advice on challenging disability benefit decisions across the UK. They empower parents to advocate for their child's needs.
If you need help to challenge a disability benefits decision, contact our Helpline.
Support with education appeals
Our education appeals specialists provide information, advice, support and sometimes representation on special educational needs across the UK. We often work in partnership with law firms who provide pro-bono support.
We offer support and casework to parents of deaf children and young people up to the age of 25 on:
- appealing a range of decisions regarding an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) in England, an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in Wales, a Statement of Special Educational Needs in Northern Ireland or a Coordinated Support Plan (CSP) in Scotland
- challenging decisions such as refusals to assess or issue a statement or plan, the contents of a statement or plan (including the nursery, school, or college named in it), and whether the plan should be maintained
- disability discrimination appeals in education
If you need help with an education appeal, contact our Helpline.