Save specialist support for deaf children

The Issue

There are over 45,000 deaf children across England. These deaf children and their families depend on vital support from Teachers of the Deaf.

Teachers of the Deaf provide support to deaf children, their families and to other professionals who are involved with a child’s education.

Alarmingly, the number of qualified Teachers of the Deaf in England has fallen by 15% since 2011. And over half of the remaining Teachers of the Deaf will retire in the next ten to fifteen years. 

In the past year alone, over a third of services have made cuts to these vital services – with cuts of £4million being made in these areas alone.  

Our deaf children are falling behind by a whole grade at GCSE level, despite deafness not being a learning disability.

We are calling on the Government to protect these vital services, to fund them properly, and to ensure that no deaf child falls behind in their education due to lack of funding and support. 

avatar of the starter
Waveney, Tyneside, Surrey, Lincoln, South of Tyne & Wearside, Peterborough & District, and North London Deaf Children’s SocietiesPetition StarterWe are a group of deaf young people aged 15 - 19 from across the UK. We campaign to make things better for deaf children and young people.
This petition had 39,281 supporters

The Issue

There are over 45,000 deaf children across England. These deaf children and their families depend on vital support from Teachers of the Deaf.

Teachers of the Deaf provide support to deaf children, their families and to other professionals who are involved with a child’s education.

Alarmingly, the number of qualified Teachers of the Deaf in England has fallen by 15% since 2011. And over half of the remaining Teachers of the Deaf will retire in the next ten to fifteen years. 

In the past year alone, over a third of services have made cuts to these vital services – with cuts of £4million being made in these areas alone.  

Our deaf children are falling behind by a whole grade at GCSE level, despite deafness not being a learning disability.

We are calling on the Government to protect these vital services, to fund them properly, and to ensure that no deaf child falls behind in their education due to lack of funding and support. 

avatar of the starter
Waveney, Tyneside, Surrey, Lincoln, South of Tyne & Wearside, Peterborough & District, and North London Deaf Children’s SocietiesPetition StarterWe are a group of deaf young people aged 15 - 19 from across the UK. We campaign to make things better for deaf children and young people.

Petition Closed

This petition had 39,281 supporters

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The Decision Makers

Kemi Badenoch MP
Kemi Badenoch MP
The Minister of State for Children and Families
Gavin Williamson MP
Gavin Williamson MP
The Secretary of State for Education
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Petition created on 27 February 2019