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Deaf children in the North
West 37% less likely to get good GCSE's
GOVERNMENT figures show that that deaf
children in the North West are 37% less likely to get 5 GCSE's, including:- English
and Maths, at grades A* to C2. With thousands receiving their results this month,
the National Deaf Children's Society is urging the Government, local authorities
and health bodies to acknowledge this issue and provide the support needed to
close the gap between deaf children and their hearing friends.
Jo Campion, Deputy Director of Policy and Campaigns at the National Deaf
Children's Society, says:- "It's clear that deaf children are being
failed. The NHS newborn hearing screening programme has been in action for ten
years and that should mean that deaf children and their families get the support
they need right from the start. But a decade on, that's still not happening."
The charity is particularly concerned about deaf children and young people in
and around Manchester following the City Council's proposals to reduce services
in the area.
Hazel Badjie, Regional Director for North West England at the National Deaf
Children's Society, adds:- "As school gates across the county re-open in a
matter of days, Manchester City Council must reconsider their plans to cut
£410,000 from vital sensory support services, leaving around 500 deaf children
in the area with reduced support at a crucial time. We need an open and
transparent review conducted by deaf experts, focusing on outcomes, not on
costs. Deaf children in Manchester need more support right
now, not less. Ultimately, if a child is identified early as being deaf and
receives good quality support in their early years, there is no reason that deaf
children shouldn't achieve the same as hearing children."
To help the National Deaf Children's Society stop cuts to support for deaf
children in Manchester, please click on
here.
To find out more about the National Deaf Children' Society's Right From the
Start campaign, please go to:-
NDCS.Org.UK. |
