Deaf children in Cheshire West and Chester at risk due to council cuts, claims National Deaf Children’s Society

May 19 2011 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

A CHARITY claims deaf children in Cheshire West face cuts in educational support, but this is staunchly denied by the council.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response to The National Deaf Children’s Society by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) shows a reduction of one full time and two part-time specialist staff who work with deaf children in schools.

But the council says the staff will be replaced and reinforced with extra support even though the allocated budget for 2011/12 shows a decrease of almost £109,000.

John Stephens, CWAC’s deputy director of children’s services, claimed the society was incorrect in stating that the council was to cut teaching support to deaf children.

When the society questioned the council under FOI, the authority had stated the establishment showed a reduction of two teaching posts.

Mr Stephens added: “However, this situation was due to retirements and a vacancy that had not been filled at that stage.

“Current proposals out for consultation recommend that not only will both posts be filled but there will be additional capacity.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council anticipates the revised structure will be in place in September.

The National Deaf Children’s Society says if there is reduced support it will put deaf children in the area at risk of not developing communications skills and failing in school.

Susan Daniels OBE, chief executive of NDCS, said such support was ‘not an optional extra’. She added that obtaining information from the council had ‘been extremely difficult’.