National Deaf Children's Society

The National Deaf Children’s Society is the UK’s leading childhood deafness charity. We’re here for every deaf child who needs us, no matter what their level or type of deafness or how they communicate. We’re also here for their parents and carers, extended family members and the professionals who work with them.

Our vision is a world without barriers for every deaf child. With the right support, there’s no reason why a deaf child can’t achieve just as much as a hearing child.

We provide free, independent support and information to parents, carers, deaf young people, extended family members and professionals.

We provide opportunities to safely connect with other families and professionals through events, online forums and local groups.

We also campaign for change on a local and national level, to create a world without barriers for all deaf children. 

When is it on?

Time of day
Morning
Afternoon
Session information
Monday to Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am - 12.30pm

Who to contact

Contact name
Helpline
Telephone
0808 800 8880
Text: 07860 022 888 (SMS) Live chat: ndcs.org.uk/livechat SignVideo: ndcs.signvideo.net
E-mail
helpline@ndcs.org.uk
Website
National Deaf Children's Society

Where to go

Other details

Cost description
Free
Referral required?
No
Referral and availability notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Age range
Under 19 years

Local Offer

Local Offer description

We have been in existence for 70 years and are dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people.

What the service believe:

  • Deaf children can do anything other children can do, given early diagnosis and the right support from the start
  • Deaf children should be involved in decisions that affect them at as early an age as possible
  • Families are the most important influence on deaf children and young people, and need clear, balanced information to make informed choices
  • Effective language and communication skills lie at the heart of deaf children and young people’s social, emotional and intellectual development
  • Deaf children should be valued by society and have the same opportunities as any other child

We risk assesses every public venue we uses for our activities. All activities are accessible for all deaf children including the use of interpreters, hearing induction loops and any other technology required. We have vast experience and expertise in the support of deaf children and their families and in ensuring that all activities are accessible. We have indepth discussions with every family prior to any activity/event/home visit to find out what their communication needs are so that they can provide for them.

Contact name
Martin Thacker
Contact telephone
0808 800 8880
Contact email
localengagement@ndcs.org.uk

What does your service do?

What does your service do?

Free advice and guidance

You can call, text or email our Freephone Helpline, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 12:30pm. Our friendly advisers can answer your questions and give free independent guidance on a range of topics relating to childhood deafness. They can also refer you to the other free support services we provide.

Phone: 0808 800 8880

Text: 0786 002 2888 (SMS)

Website: ndcs.org.uk/helplinecontact

Live chat: ndcs.org.uk/livechat

SignVideo: ndcs.signvideo.net   

Information

Our website has all the information families of deaf children and deaf young people need to make informed choices, find deaf-friendly services, learn from other families and access support. Go to ndcs.org.uk.

The Buzz is our website for deaf children and young people aged 8 to 18. It’s packed with information, support and real stories from other deaf young people, and all content is available in English and BSL. Check out the Buzz at buzz.org.uk.

Family and youth events

We offer a wide range of family events, both online and in-person. Our events are a great way to connect with other parents and families, grow your knowledge and learn from experts.

We also work with deaf young people through our interactive workshops, digital events and webinars, supporting them to develop their knowledge, skills and confidence.

Connecting families

Local deaf children’s societies are support groups run by parents and carers. They’re located all over the UK and offer support and advice as well as a range of activities.

We also have an online forum - Your Community - where you can connect with other parents and carers, get tips, ask questions and share experiences.

Try out the latest technology

Our Technology Test Drive loan service gives families and deaf children and young people the chance to try out products, such as vibrating alarm clocks and radio aids. 

Where is it located and what areas does it cover?

Where is it located and what areas does it cover?

Our services are UK wide. We have staff based in all regions of England. We provide specialist support including home visits from our UK wide team of Children and Families Support Officers. This is a free service to support children and families. Our Regional Directors can be accessed through our freephone helpline.

Who does your organisation provide a service for?

Who does your organisation provide a service for?

 

How can I start using the service?

How can I start using the service?

 

 

How are decisions made about who can use your service?

How are decisions made about who can use your service?

If a parent refers himself/herself or a professional refers a familiy into NDCS, the helpline makes the decision on which team to refer to for the most effective help. The only decision that is made on who can use their service is whether the child is deaf. Please see the website and publications for more information on how the service can support to families.

How do I know what is going on and can I be involved in making plans for the future?

How do you communicate with service users and how are they involved in decision making / planning?

Staff use mainly English and sign language.  Some staff have other Asian languages and some publications are translated into other languages.

NDCS has a participation team who regularly consult with deaf children and young people about their needs and wants. The service respond to what children tell them and provide ongoing feedback to families. The service regularly asks parents of deaf children about different issues and act on their feedback e.g. experiences of Speech and Language Therapy Services, Audiology Services. Where the service carries out face to face consultations, they ensure that interpreters are available but also work with and ask parents/children to alert them to any other communication needs so the service can meet those needs.

Is your service fully accessible?

Is your service fully accessible?

NDCS risk assesses every public venue it uses for its activities. All activities are accessible for all deaf children including the use of interpreters, hearing induction loops and any other technology required. NDCS has vast experience and expertise in the support of deaf children and their families and in ensuring that all activities are accessible.  The service has indepth discussions with every family prior to any activity/event/home visit to find out what their communication needs are so that they can provide for them. Where activities are for children who are deaf with additional needs, nurses are provided by NDCS for medical support during the event.

What training have your staff had regarding SEND?

What training are the staff supporting children and young people with SEND had or are having?

All staff are trained to BSL Level 1 as mandatory with many trained to Level 2 and above. Some staff are themselves deaf and may use BSL as their first language.

Any volunteers working on the activities/events are at least BSL Level 2 trained.

Many Children and Families Officers are BSL Level 2 or above and have previous qualifications in working with deaf children, for example Teacher of the Deaf.

We ensure that we have qualified interpreters at every event and at any family home visit where necessary, ie where English is a second language.

Staff undertake regular internal training, for example child protection, to ensure that they are trained to the highest level to deliver the activities and services.

Who can I contact for further information?

Who can I contact for further information?
Disclaimer

Durham County Council's Families Information Service does not promote nor endorse the services advertised on this website. Anyone seeking to use/access such services does so at their own risk and may make all appropriate enquiries about fitness for purpose and suitability to meet their needs.
Powered by Open Objects