The HSS works with children and young people from birth to 18 years with mild to profound hearing loss. Students with an education, health, and care plan (EHCP) can be supported up to the age of 25 while attending further education.
We are a team of specialist advisory teachers, known as qualified teachers of the Deaf (QToD). In addition, the team has a specialist teaching assistant who is the audiology technician and a sign language support worker who is a native British Sign Language (BSL) user. Many parents will also meet the Educational Audiologist who regularly attends Audiology clinics for school age children.
We work across two local education authorities: Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. We provide advice and support to:
- children and young people
- families
- pre-schools
- schools
- colleges
If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, please speak to your Health Visitor, School Nurse, or GP who can do an initial assessment and make a referral to Audiology if appropriate. The HSS does not provide diagnosis of hearing loss.
What to do if you are concerned about a child's hearing
Referral to the HSS
Early Years and Foundation stage
School age children
Post 16 and preparation for adulthood
Information for children and young people
Audiology and listening devices
Speech, language and communication
Social and emotional health and wellbeing
