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Online information sessions for professionals

Each month, we'll be hosting free online information and advice sessions for professionals who support or work with deaf children and young people. Each session will be on a different topic.

During the live sessions, you'll be able to:

  • learn more about supporting deaf children and young people, particularly during the current COVID-19 situation
  • join discussions with other professionals
  • ask questions to our experts.

Booking is essential for the online sessions as places are limited. But if you're unable to attend, you can register to watch them on-demand at a later date.

What you'll need to join our online sessions

As long as you have access to a computer, smartphone or tablet with an internet connection then you'll be able to access our online sessions using Zoom.

After registering online, you'll receive a confirmation email with information about how to join the session. A password will be provided to join the session on Zoom. Only people who have registered will be admitted into the session. The Zoom meeting will enable the chat function for the purpose of asking questions. This will be moderated.

Communication support

Closed captioning is available for all our online events as well as BSL interpreters. If you require a Welsh translation, please contact us at least a week before the session.

If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please email [email protected].

Upcoming online information sessions

There are no upcoming sessions currently scheduled, but you can register to watch many of our recorded sessions below.

Watch our previous sessions on-demand

The READY Study (Recording Emerging Adulthood in Deaf Youth)
– wave 1a early findings

This session was recorded live in December 2020. Register to watch the on-demand recording.

The READY study was commissioned by the National Deaf Children’s Society to understand more about the risk and protective factors leading to deaf young people’s achievement of autonomy, wellbeing, educational/occupational attainment, and social development.

It is a five-year longitudinal study, that will follow a cohort of up to 300 young deaf people, first joining the study aged between 16 and 19 years old.

Alys Young, who leads the study, will share early findings from the first 92 young people recruited. The presentation will focus on health, wellbeing, social networks and friendship groups, and self-determination. Data is compared with general population normative data for this age group.

Our expert, Alys Young, Professor of Social Work at the University of Manchester

Alys is Professor of Social Work at the University of Manchester, where she also leads the Social Research with Deaf people (SORD) program. She has worked in practice and research roles with d/Deaf people for over 30 years. She is Senior Fellow of the NIHR School for Social Care Research and remains a registered social worker. Her full bibliography of research and publications can be found at www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/alys.young.html

Register to watch The READY Study session on-demand

Supporting Deaf Young People With Post-16 Education

These sessions were recorded live in November 2020. Register to watch the on-demand recordings.

Post-16 education can seem confusing with the wide range of different options available to deaf young people. Funding arrangements can vary a lot in different education settings. Our expert, Martin, will be helping you make sense of it all in this session which will cover:

  • the different options available for deaf young people aged 16 . These include further education, higher education, and apprenticeships
  • the support available to deaf young people in different settings and how it's funded
  • how post-16 education and support for deaf young people is being impacted by Coronavirus
  • our resources to support professionals to provide young people with useful information and guidance.
Our expert, Martin McLean, Post-14 Policy and Practise Lead

Martin McLean is the Post-14 Policy and Practice lead at the National Deaf Children’s Society. He was born profoundly deaf and is passionate about ensuring deaf children and young people have access to education and training that enables them to achieve their potential. Martin sits on further education advisory groups at the Department for Education. He also provides support to the Special Education Consortium on their post-16 work. Before working at the National Deaf Children’s Society, Martin worked in the further and higher education sectors. He also worked as a Project Manager for a theatre company.

Register to watch the Scotland session on-demand
Register to watch the England session on-demand
Register to watch the Wales session on-demand
Register to watch the Northern Ireland session on-demand

Current Changes to Education for Deaf Children in Scotland

This session was recorded live on 2 September 2020. Register to watch the on-demand recording.

Join our expert, Alasdair O’Hara, for our live session for professionals working in Scotland.

Due to COVID-19, there have been huge changes to how children are educated. In this session, Alasdair will be giving an overview of the national picture in Scotland.

This will cover:

  • what we know about the current support available for deaf children in Scotland
  • the impact of the pandemic on children with Additional Support Needs
  • our policy response and our advice for professionals
  • the wider re-opening of schools and the implications for deaf children.
Our expert, Alasdair O’Hara, Head of Policy and Influencing for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Alasdair has been the Head of Policy and Influencing for Scotland and Northern Ireland at the National Deaf Children’s Society since 2011. His work includes leading on our policy work and influencing key decision makers to take into account the needs of deaf children.

Register to watch on-demand

Current Changes to Education for Deaf Children in Northern Ireland

This session was recorded live on 27 August 2020. Register to watch the on-demand recording.

Join our expert, Alasdair O’Hara, for our live session for professionals working in Northern Ireland.

Due to COVID-19, there have been huge changes to how children are educated. In this session, Alasdair will be giving an overview of the national picture in Northern Ireland.

This will cover:

  • what we know about the current support available for deaf children in Northern Ireland
  • the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children with Special Educational Needs
  • our policy response and our advice for professionals
  • the wider re-opening of schools and the implications for deaf children.
Register to watch on-demand

Current Changes to Education for Deaf Children in England

This session was recorded live on 1 July 2020. Register to watch the on-demand recording. 

Join our expert, Ian Noon, for our first live session for professionals working in England.

Due to COVID-19, there have been huge changes to how children are educated. In this session, Ian will be giving an overview of the national picture in England.

This will cover:

  • what we know about the current support available for deaf children in England
  • the implications of school closures - in particular, providing online remote support and the impact on children with Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plans
  • our policy response and advice for professionals
    the wider re-opening of schools and the implications for deaf children.
Our expert, Ian Noon, Chief Policy Advisor

Ian is our Chief Policy Advisor for the National Deaf Children’s Society. His work involves coordinating our policy and research work, as well as influencing the Government to make sure they take into account the needs of deaf children.

Register to watch on-demand

Current Changes to Education for Deaf Children in Wales

This session was recorded live on 3 July 2020. Register to watch the on-demand recording. 

Join our expert, Debbie Thomas, for our first live session for professionals working in Wales.

Due to COVID-19, there have been huge changes to how children are educated. In this session, Debbie will be giving an overview of the national picture in Wales.

This will cover:

  • what we know about the current support available for deaf children in Wales - in particular, the impact on children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs
  • our policy response and advice for professionals
  • the implications for deaf children in Wales with plans for the autumn term.
Our expert, Debbie Thomas, Head of Policy and Influencing for Wales

Debbie is our Head of Policy and Influencing for Wales and has worked for the National Deaf Children’s Society Cymru since 2008. Her work includes leading on our policy work in Wales and influencing key decision makers such as the Welsh Government to take into account the needs of deaf children.

Register to watch on-demand