Information for Parents
The Hearing Team
We support children and young people with hearing loss and their families at home, at school or college and in higher education. Our team is made up of specialist Qualified Teachers of the Deaf (QToDs) who work flexibly to ensure your child’s needs are met in all environments. Support is available from diagnosis up to the age of 25.
We use the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) framework, alongside specialist assessments and professional judgement, to determine levels of support. You can download the framework here: NatSIP – Eligibility Frameworks for SI Services
Our team works in a multi‑agency way. By working in partnership with parents, schools, nurseries and other professionals, we ensure everyone around your child is working together towards the best possible outcomes. Each child is unique, and we tailor our support to meet the needs of your family.
Communication is vital for learning, social development and emotional wellbeing. Hearing loss can affect speech, language and communication. We work closely with you to minimise these risks and support your child’s development.
All QToDs hold the mandatory postgraduate qualification required to teach deaf learners. Team members also hold British Sign Language (BSL) Level 2 or above, and some have additional specialist qualifications including Early Years (0–2) and postgraduate degrees in SEND (Deafness). Information about training routes can be found here: Training as a Teacher of the Deaf (BATOD)
The Early Years
Very young children are supported at home or in nursery settings. We work alongside families to build confidence in supporting communication. We also work closely with nursery staff to ensure good practice and to minimise barriers caused by hearing loss.
We monitor your child’s progress using the developmental journal Success from the Start. You can view the resource here: Success from the Start (NDCS)
Pre‑School Music Group – Keynotes
We run a pre‑school music group called Keynotes. Parents, babies and toddlers come together to sing specially selected songs that promote communication and listening skills. Guest speakers often include Speech and Language Therapists, Audiologists, deaf role models, support groups and older pupils.
Dates for upcoming sessions can be found on the Hearing Team – News and Events page.
High Needs Base Provision
Some young children attend our specialist provision at Thomasson Nursery, a mainstream nursery where staff have additional qualifications and experience in working with children who have hearing loss. Here, the Teacher of the Deaf works directly with your child.
The Primary Years
We work collaboratively with parents, children, school staff and other professionals. Teachers receive ongoing training and guidance to meet your child’s needs. We regularly assess speech, language and communication through specialist assessments and detailed observations.
Examples of tools we use include: