The Deaf and Hearing Support Team work with children with all degrees of hearing loss, from fluctuating mild hearing loss to permanent profound deafness.
We provide support for children and young people with a diagnosed hearing loss or deafness from initial diagnosis until they leave education or turn 25 years old, whichever is sooner.
We also provide support for their families, significant adults and staff in their settings, such as:
- homes
- early years settings
- schools
- higher education
- further education and audiology
All children and young people are supported by a Qualified Teacher of the Deaf (TOD), as well as specialist Teaching Assistants.
We support children and young people in line with their chosen communication method, including speech or sign language.
We provide support and advice on listening and language development, use of assistive listening technology, creating good listening environments and assistive listening technology.
In addition, we provide support for the social and emotional wellbeing of the child or young person. We aim to provide peer group activities to support the social and emotional wellbeing of the child, including opportunities to meet other deaf young people and deaf role models.
Our TODs signpost the children and their families to other voluntary bodies, to access social activities, information and events, such as Lollipop and the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS).