Scottish standards for deaf children (0-3): Families and professionals working together to improve services

This document is the result of the Scottish Sensory Centre setting up Early Years for Deaf Children discussion groups in various locations in Scotland. One of the groups was looking at Standards and Training. Since the start of newborn hearing screening in Scotland in 2005 families have found out that their baby is deaf in the first few weeks of their baby’s life. Early intervention has the potential for improving language learning outcomes for deaf children. Currently there is wide variation across Scotland in the way early years teams meet and work. The standards document shows how the early years team should have the family at its centre as part of the team. The document contains a self-audit tool for early years teams to reflect on the extent to which they are family-friendly and offer informed choices. The standards have been produced by a group of professionals, parents and members of the voluntary sector using evidence from research and policy.