Campaigns - Wales
We want to make sure there is a powerful voice for change, demanding a fair deal for deaf children in Wales.
Our vision is to create a world without barriers for every deaf child - but we need your help. Join our Campaigns Network and be the first to know about how you can get involved in our campaigns.
Made-for-Wales British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE>
Read our response to the Welsh Government's decision to suspend work on the made-for-Wales British Sign Language (BSL) GCSE.
Petition for more Teachers of the Deaf (Wales)>
Thank you for supporting Ros Hannam's parent-led petition urging the Welsh Government to invest in specialist qualified Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs), and find out what's happening next with this campaign.
Additional learning needs
At the moment, many deaf children receive a Statement or an Individual Education Plan to outline the support they need at school. But from September 2021, a new law will start to take effect.
All children and young people with additional learning needs will have a different plan instead, called an Individual Development Plan (IDP). The plans will be available to those aged 0-16 and to those aged 16-25 who are in further education.
About the reforms
We've created a Q&A factsheet on the reforms. Some of the details may change as the Welsh Government is still developing the regulations and the details of how the new systems and structures will work in practice. As such, this fact-sheet will be updated from time to time. Please check back for the latest information. (Last updated October 2019).
Our campaign
The National Deaf Children's Society Cymru has been campaigning on this new law over the past few years. We are pleased that during this time, the Welsh Government has taken a number of steps to address some of our key concerns. However, there are still a number of issues that we need the Welsh Government to address as it writes guidance on the new systems. This includes making sure that the new support plans cover key information and that learners with additional needs get appropriate careers advice.
We would like to say a big thank you to more than 270 National Deaf Children's Society Cymru campaigners who took an online action to help us flag these important issues.
Please do keep a look out for other opportunities to help our campaign in the near future!
When will the system change?
In September 2019, the Welsh Government announced that it was delaying the introduction of the new system until September 2021 in order to give local authorities and schools more time to prepare and for the Welsh Government to redraft guidelines.
We're aware that some local authorities are already using IDPs. It is important families understand that they still have the right to request a statement as this continues to be the legal document at present.
Get in touch
If you would like more information or have any concerns about the changes, please get in touch at [email protected].
You can also contact our Helpline for support and advice on your child's support plan.