HC Deb 02 July 1974 vol 876 cc94-6W
Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many children who are deaf or have impaired hearing are now awaiting placement in special schools; what submissions have been made in the last year by local authorities for special schools for the deaf and if he will list the local authorities who have made these submissions;

(2) if he will publish a list of special schools for hearing-impaired children showing: (a) how many children are at present awaiting entry, (b) how many of these are of nursery age, (c) how long it may be expected admission will take, (d) whether the reason for the delay is (i) lack of accommodation, (ii) lack of staff, or (iii) both, and (e) whether there are vacancies and no waiting list.

Mr. Armstrong

Returns from local education authorities showed that in January 1973—the latest year for which such figures are available—there were 390 hearing impaired children in England awaiting places in special schools, 194 of whom were under 5 years of age. The total includes 112–41 under 5—who had been waiting for more than a year. The information requested about entry to individual special schools is not available, but I am sending the hon. Member an up to date list which includes the schools concerned.

Following is the information about special school building proposals submitted by local education authorities in England, which are still being examined:

Local education authority Project
Avon Extensions to Elmfield School for the deaf.
Berkshire Primary school for the deaf.
Hampshire Secondary school for the deaf (Phase I).
Haringey Primary school for the deaf.
Harrow School for the deaf.
I.L.E.A. Adaptations to provide additional temporary secondary places for the deaf.
Kent School for the deaf and hostel accommodation.
Liverpool School for the partially-hearing.
Manchester School for the partially-hearing.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what studies are currently taking place into the problems of staffing special schools and units for children with impaired hearing; what general guidance he has issued to local authorities and what consultations have been held with a view to improving the services available;

(2) when he expects the working party examining the problems of deaf children to complete its task; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Armstrong

The working party has included the staffing of special schools and units in its study. Discussions are proceeding with two area training organisations aimed at increasing the provision of specially qualified teachers; and the National College of Teachers of the Deaf is being consulted about in-service training. The working party is pursuing inquiries into other aspects, such as help for pupils taking external examinations, and hopes to complete its task in the autumn. My right hon. Friend will then decide whether to issue guidance to local authorities and volutary bodies concerned. Other matters, such as the distribution of special school places for the hearing impaired and facilities for further education, are expected to be considered at forthcoming regional conferences as well as by the Warnock Committee.

Mr. Redmond

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) how many primary schools have units for hearing impaired children; and what are the criteria at present for the placement of children in such units;

(2) how many children are at present attending units for the partially hearing attached to ordinary schools; how many such units at present exist; what criteria are used to make decisions about the placement of such children in such units; whether he is satisfied with these criteria; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Armstrong

There are about 1,9UU children in England attending some 200 units, the majority of which are attached to primary schools. Some units have more than one class. Responsibility for the placement of children in units rests with the local education authorities. There are no set criteria, but Education Survey No. 1, "Units for Partially Hearing Children", issued by the Department in 1967, included the following recommendations for the selection of pupils which I regard as satisfactory:

  1. "(a) In admitting children after the infant stage, care should be taken to select only those who function as partially hearing children.
  2. (b) They should be seen to have a prospect of learning to speak, with or without amplified sound, in a natural way more by listening than by lip reading.
  3. (c) They should be capable of acquiring language along natural patterns rather than by the imposed patterns that are needed by the profoundly deaf.
  4. (d) In order to select children who collectively do not present too heavy a load of additional handicaps, the teachers of the unit should be consulted and should take part in all conferences."