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Deafness can be diagnosed at birth and also later in life. Audiology Teams at different hospitals refer directly into our team.

When hearing equipment is prescribed it aims to support access to sound and speech. Audiology refer directly to us when they prescribe hearing aids (this includes BAHA, BC Aids and Cochlear Implants). We contact families as soon as possible to offer support.

Our Team work with families to guide and support them in achieving the best access to communicate with their child(ren) using a Total Communication Approach with the aim of maximising communication within the family.  This is crucial support for Deaf children and their families.

There are excellent resources and signposting on the NDCS Website -  click here.

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Thurrock Sensory Service for Deaf Children and Families - Part 2 - Signed

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Families of deaf children Essex - now on facebook and twitter @FDCessex

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Families of deaf children Essex - now on facebook and twitter @FDCessex

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A central guide for families with deaf children. Support, tips and advice at your fingertips.

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Rachel Cross r.cross.scs@osborne.coop

07526 468 082

Jeanett Warder

j.warder.scs@osborne.coop

07748 652 680

Hayley Lill

h.lill.scs@osborne.coop

01375 648980

Admin:

s.ablin.scs@osborne.coop

01375 648992

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Your Aspirations, Our Priority - THE FORUM 

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NDCS Information about Events.... on line or in person

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NDCS Information about Events.... on line or in person

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Family support
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-families/

Information and Events
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/events-for-parents-carers-and-families/

Financial Support
Explore options which may be useful - Rising costs of living | Money and benefits (ndcs.org.uk).

Sign Language online courses that are starting, applications can be made here: https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/events-for-parents-carers-and-families/learn-british-sign-language/

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Get support from our friendly experts and meet other parents and families of deaf children

We have a range of events and courses to support parents, carers and families of deaf children. Run by our experts, they cover a variety of topics and issues, from finding out your child is deaf or has a hearing loss, to supporting them as they become a young adult. Many are free unless stated otherwise.

Our events and courses are also a great way to meet other parents and families in a similar position, share experiences, and be part of a community.

More information

Who our events are recommended for

Our events and courses are suitable for families of children and young people with all levels of deafness.

You must be a member of the National Deaf Children's Society to take part. You can sign up for free online. Being a member will give you access to lots of great benefits, including one-to-one support, useful information and resources, and much more. Find out more about membership.

How to join online events

To help you understand a bit more about our online events, how to join them and what they will look like, we have developed a video and written guide that take you through, step by step.

If you'd like to attend our online events but don't have access to the internet or the right technology take a look at our tips on how you can get online.

Communication support

Closed captioning and BSL interpreters are available at all of our online events and courses. We also offer language interpreters, on request. If you would like this support or have any questions, please email [email protected] .

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Online events and courses for parents and families of deaf children | National Deaf Children's Society

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We have a range of events and courses to support parents, carers and families of deaf children. Run by our experts, they cover a variety of topics and issues, from finding out your child is deaf or has a hearing loss, to supporting them as they become a young adult.

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NDCS upcoming events for parents and families

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NDCS upcoming events for parents and families

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Get support from our friendly experts and meet other parents and families of deaf children

We have a range of events and courses to support parents, carers and families of deaf children. Run by our experts, they cover a variety of topics and issues, from finding out your child is deaf or has a hearing loss, to supporting them as they become a young adult. Many are free unless stated otherwise.

Our events and courses are also a great way to meet other parents and families in a similar position, share experiences, and be part of a community.

More information

Who our events are recommended for

Our events and courses are suitable for families of children and young people with all levels of deafness.

You must be a member of the National Deaf Children's Society to take part. You can sign up for free online. Being a member will give you access to lots of great benefits, including one-to-one support, useful information and resources, and much more. Find out more about membership.

How to join online events

To help you understand a bit more about our online events, how to join them and what they will look like, we have developed a video and written guide that take you through, step by step.

If you'd like to attend our online events but don't have access to the internet or the right technology take a look at our tips on how you can get online.

Communication support

Closed captioning and BSL interpreters are available at all of our online events and courses. We also offer language interpreters, on request. If you would like this support or have any questions, please email [email protected] .

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Online events and courses for parents and families of deaf children | National Deaf Children's Society

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We have a range of events and courses to support parents, carers and families of deaf children. Run by our experts, they cover a variety of topics and issues, from finding out your child is deaf or has a hearing loss, to supporting them as they become a young adult.

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Deaf Awareness Week is run on an annual basis by the UK Council on Deafness, it will be taking place between 2nd – 8th May 2022.

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Limping Chicken - Deaf School Children producing BSL information for fire service

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Limping Chicken - Deaf School Children producing BSL information for fire service

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Deaf pupils from two schools in Newcastle have produced a new interactive video and factsheet teaching 20 phrases in British Sign Language, with the aim of helping local firefighters in emergencies involving Deaf people.

The 11 schoolchildren, aged between 4 and 12 years old, attend hearing impairment additionally resourced provisions (HIARPs) at Broadwood Primary School and Park Academy. The project was inspired by lessons in the classroom around the "people who help us".

Firefighters from Newcastle Central Community Fire Station's Red Watch team recently joined pupils to film videos of them signing against a green screen background - with chosen phrases including 'where is the fire', 'follow me' and 'how many people inside'.

Meanwhile, a factsheet containing the signs will be laminated and stored next to fire appliances used by the firefighters while attending incidents across Tyne and Wear.

Kirsten Binns, a Teacher of the Deaf at Broadwood Primary School's HIARP, said the school was "inspired" by the firefighters' visit.

"We thought that making a practical video would be a good way for children from our primary school and secondary additionally resourced provision to all work together to produce this project.

"The children benefitted by deepening their vocabulary and understanding of the work of firefighters in the local community, and by teaching them some basic signs. They also learned some useful filming and editing skills that will be handy later in their creative school journey."

Steven Walker, watch manager at the fire station, added: "It's been a wonderful experience for our firefighters to learn the essential sign language phrases that could ultimately help to save somebody's life in the future.

"It's also very rewarding to have the knowledge that young people from our local community holds the fire service in such high regard to produce this empathetic project to help our frontline responding team.

"Sign language is an important means of communication and it's priceless for our crews to have this informative insight that will benefit our day-to-day operations."

The full video is available to watch online on YouTube.
Photo: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service. By Liam O'Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.
Enjoying our eggs? Support The Limping Chicken:

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Deaf schoolchildren create 'lifesaving' sign language factsheet and tutorial video for Newcastle firefighters (BSL)

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Deaf pupils from two schools in Newcastle have produced a new interactive video and factsheet teaching 20 phrases in British Sign Language, with the aim of helping local firefighters in emergencies involving Deaf people. The 11 schoolchildren, aged between 4 and 12 years old, attend hearing impairment additionally resourced provisions (HIARPs) at Broadwood Primary School and Park Academy.

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Royal Deaf
@royaldeaf

It's #DeafAwarenessWeek!
Have a go at the #BritishSignLanguage fingerspelling alphabet

RAD Deaf Awareness Training: https://royaldeaf.org.uk/training/

Interested in learning #BSL:

@SignatureDeaf http://signature.org.uk

@Signworldlearn http://signworldlearn.com

#DeafAware #DeafAwareness

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Booklets about Thurrock Sensory Service for Parents 0-5

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Booklets about Thurrock Sensory Service for Parents 0-5

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Under 5 booklet for parents June 2025 with SUCCESS Lilac

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Information for parents of children and young people over 5

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Information for parents of children and young people over 5

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Over 5 booklet for parents June 2025 Complete Daff

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Information for parents of young people over 16 years

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Information for parents of young people over 16 years

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We work closely with families of deaf children and young people 0-25 to support them throughout their early years and education.

We are a qualified team passionate about parents as experts.  The team comprises Teachers of the Deaf,  Family Support Workers, British Sign Language Interpreters, Deaf role models and Tutors of Sign language.

We work closely with other professionals in health and education to ensure that the children and young people get the best possible access to sound, communication and education.   These include:  Audiologists; Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Psychologists,  Specialists in Deaf Education, Hospital Audiology Clinics, the NDCS and local EDCS and Families of Deaf Children in Essex,  SENDIAS and Thurrock as well as other Local Authorities.

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Thurrock Sensory Service for Deaf Children and Families  - Part 1 - Signed

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We provide regular opportunities to meet together with families and their young children - Our Stay and Play and Coffee Morning meeting termly at Warren Primary School - 10 - 12.  Flyers will appear on this website.
All parents and family members eg siblings, aunties, grandparents etc are very welcome.

Other local groups -

Link to NDCS information for families - https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/services-for-families/

Events for young people from the NDCS - https://www.ndcs.org.uk/our-services/our-events/

Events from Royal Association of the Deaf:

https://www.royaldeaf.org.uk/events/

Find us on St Clere's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates and information.

Examples of past events :
Picnics, Soft Play, Bouncy Castle at Wat Tyler Park, Baking events - pizza and cupcakes.  Visits to places eg Zoo, Walton Farm.

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Thurrock Sensory Service for Deaf Children and Families - Part 3 - Signed

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Update from the NDCS - Mild and unilateral hearing loss and survey

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Update from the NDCS - Mild and unilateral hearing loss and survey

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Mild and unilateral hearing loss videos for families

In collaboration with researchers from University College London (UCL) and Aston University Birmingham, we’ve developed a series of video resources for families of children with mild or unilateral hearing loss offering practical advice and reassurance.

Based on research findings, the videos, hosted on a dedicated YouTube playlist, also link to our website and useful resources mentioned throughout.

Deaf Children Today survey
Every year we launch our Deaf Children Today survey to find out the experiences of families with deaf children across the UK. Their feedback is so important to help shape our services and campaigns. We’d love to reach as many families as possible and for the survey to represent all deaf children.

Take a look at this survey - share the survey with the families you work with. This survey is open to all parents, guardians and carers of deaf children and young people aged 0 to 25 in the UK – including those with a temporary hearing loss, mild hearing loss or hearing loss in one ear.  It takes about 15 minutes to complete and is also available in British Sign Language (BSL). It’s open until Wednesday 5 February.

As a thank you for taking part, parents have a chance to win one of three £100 Amazon vouchers.

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Thurrock Pre School Sensory Group - all welcome dates Sep 2025 onwards

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Thurrock Pre School Sensory Group - all welcome dates Sep 2025 onwards

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Just a little reminder that our next session takes place next week on Monday 13th October, 10th November and 8th December 2025 at 10.00am - 12 noon at the Stanford Family Hub.  Free parking is available in the primary school.

Come along to our Early Years Group for a fun and welcoming space where little ones can play, explore and make new friends!  Our session provides a fantastic opportunity for families to come together, share experiences, and build connections while children engage in activities designed to support their development.  Join us to meet other parents and caregivers, and enjoy a friendly, relaxed environment where your child can thrive.

Tea/coffee is available and you're welcome to bring siblings and grandparents along for some fun - the more the merrier!

We can't wait to welcome you!

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Drop in for Deaf children and families in Essex - Located in Thurrock - more information on facebook

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Drop in for Deaf children and families in Essex - Located in Thurrock - more information on facebook

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When we have more information about this it will be posted here.

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This will restart in the Summer term in a new venue more information to follow.

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Up and coming EDCS events - more information on their facebook page

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Up and coming EDCS events - more information on their facebook page

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Videos for early years children | Become more deaf aware

Videos to help young children understand more about hearing loss.

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To help children in the early years understand how to support their deaf peers, we've launched a free series of five videos on our YouTube channel.

These short, fun, and colourful animated videos feature a diverse range of animal characters from our children's book, Elephant and the Lost Blanket.

Complete with subtitles and a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter, each video covers a different theme on how children can communicate, support and include their deaf peers.

Watch the videos below!

How to use the videos

The videos are freely available for anyone to watch on our YouTube channel. However, they will be most effective when used by early years practitioners in childcare settings.

Are you an early years practitioner or teacher?

Any nursery, childcare or reception setting can use the videos to give deaf awareness tips to hearing children. They may be useful if your setting has a mixture of deaf and hearing children. However, all children will benefit from learning about deaf awareness, whether or not there are deaf children also in your setting.

You can help by giving additional context to each video. For example, you can pause the videos and ask questions to check understanding. Or you can explain some of the concepts in more detail, like what sign language is.

These videos are great to use at any time, and we hope you will use them multiple times to reinforce learning. It may be especially useful to show the videos during important events like Deaf Awareness Week.

What do you think of the videos?

We'd love to know what you think! Watch the videos and give your feedback by clicking the button below (or going to our online form).

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Videos for early years children | Become more deaf aware

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Videos to help hearing children in the early years understand how to support their deaf peers.

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Baking Event 20th May for Deaf children and siblings

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Baking Event 20th May for Deaf children and siblings

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BSL Video - Emergency message Sunday 7th

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BSL Video - Emergency message Sunday 7th

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A video with subtitles to support the emergency messages being sent in England on the 7th September.