To ask the Minister of Education what steps are being taken to ensure that (i) deaf children; and (ii) their families receive the support necessary from Teachers of the Deaf in (a) education settings; and (b) early years development.

The Education Authority’s (EA) Sensory Service provides support to deaf children and their families from the point of identification, in the home in the early years and later in the classroom in both mainstream and specialist settings. The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) sends referrals to the Sensory Service which aims to respond within two days of receipt as per Quality Standards for Sensory Services.The needs of young deaf children are assessed via the National Sensory Impairment Partnership Early Years Eligibility Framework in line with information from audiology and Ear Nose and Throat services and considering the views and needs of parents/carers. The Service works in partnership with parents to help them support their child’s development of language and communication through play-based activities and advice and guidance is provided in both the home to families and early years settings.

Qualified Teachers of Deaf (ToD) within the sensory service support children and families, focussing on the child’s development in communication, literacy and mathematics as well as social and emotional development and fostering independence. ToDs also provide information and advice to education settings on the implications of deafness and strategies to promote access to the curriculum and inclusion, including bespoke training for staff.