Teachers of the deaf (TODs) provide ongoing assessments and liaise closely with families, Early Years settings and schools, and the child to agree the degree and type of support. For some children, this may be a one-off visit to school to give advice to staff. For others, it may be more regular visits to assess children, advise schools and to monitor progress. Other children may receive weekly teaching from a TOD.
We also provide one-off interventions for children where a need has been identified to support different areas such as social and emotional resilience, listening skills and phonics. Support levels are based on individual need at specific times and are reviewed regularly, formally and informally.
Most deaf and hearing impaired children attend their local mainstream educational setting or school and receive support from the Deaf and Hearing Support Team there or at home.
The Caddell Centre at Hempland Primary Academy is our centralised provision for deaf primary aged children. Children have to have an education, health and care plan (ECHP) with deafness as their main need, to be eligible for a place. At Hempland school deaf children are included in their mainstream classes, but have the opportunity to have designated time with a TOD, time with other deaf children and access to a deaf role model.
There is no designated secondary school provision for deaf children. Most deaf children attend their local secondary school with support from the Deaf and Hearing Support team.