Children's Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG)

A locally based multi-agency group working together to best provide for, and meet the needs of, all children within our area who have been identified as having a hearing loss.

Introduction

CHSWG is a locally based multi-agency group working together to best provide for and meet the needs of all children within our area who have been identified as having a hearing loss.

We aim to:

  • look at the current provision for Deaf children
  • develop the range of services available
  • make services more coordinated and family-friendly

Objectives of CHSWG

The objectives of CHSWG are to:

  • promote the successful delivery of services for hearing-impaired children
  • set targets for future service delivery and monitor outcomes
  • ensure services supporting deaf children and their families work in a coordinated way
  • involve parents in the strategic management of services to ensure that services are family-friendly
  • participate in the evaluation of services, such as through the use of user questionnaires
  • contribute to the implementation of new government, Local Educational Authority and Health Authority policies as appropriate
  • keep up to date with relevant training courses provided through health, education and voluntary sector services for all staff supporting Hearing Impaired children
  • develop and audit local policies and protocols for the delivery of multi-agency family-friendly hearing services

Membership

Membership is open to all those supporting Deaf children in health, education, social services and the voluntary sector.

Currently, the group consists of representatives from the following local services:

  • Sensory Needs Service
  • Audiology
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Community Paediatrician
  • NDCS
  • Community Audiology
  • Parent representatives
  • Health Visitors
  • Brighton, Hove and West Sussex Deaf Children's Society
  • Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeons

Meetings

CHSWG meets 3 times per year, at Hollingbury Learning Centre, County Oak Avenue, Brighton, BN1 8DJ.

CHSWG has a coordinator nominated by the group who fulfils the role for a year.

The coordinator collates information on behalf of the group and is a focal point for contact and liaison between members.

Terms of Reference

Read the Brighton & Hove Children's Hearing Services Working Group Terms of Reference.