Supporting the Future
Aims and objectives
The aim of the project was to enhance guidance and counselling services delivered to parents/carers of young people with hearing impairment in their transition to adult life.
The aims of the project were:
 | To combat exclusion in accord with the Lisbon Agreement (2000); |
| To share and develop expertise; |
| To involve and engage families and young people in service development and improvement; |
| To carry out a trans-national consultation survey in relation to services for families of young people with hearing impairment in transition to adult life; |
| To recommend cost neutral (wherever possible) solutions to improve services delivered to families and young people by each partner. |
Activities and lessons learned
Visits were undertaken to share and develop expertise.
A transnational meeting was organised in order for partners to devise the format of the consultation with families/carers and young people. All three partners administered a consultation questionnaire and the results were written up making comparisons with research data that had been gathered. Detailed reviews of literature across Europe and the wider world relating to young people with hearing impairment in transition to adult life were undertaken. On the basis of the findings, recommendations derived from the views of families and young people, were made for service improvement by the three partners.
Each partner held a transnational consultation conference with families and young people to further discuss their specific needs, particularly with regard to transition to adult life.
Achievements
These included:
| Improving the skills and understanding on the part of those who deliver services to families and young people with hearing impairment in the three partner services; |
| Detailed client consultation; |
| Recommendations for service improvement on the part of each partner to improve adult transition and combat exclusion; |
| Involvement of families and young people in developing services delivered to them. |
Materials produced
A detailed report of the transnational consultation and research entitled ‘Supporting the Future’. There have been many requests for copies of this report both in the UK, Europe and elsewhere in the world. The report is not available on line but can be e-mailed out to those interested. Pease contact: rachel.atkin@telford.gov.uk
Partnership organisations/countries
England: The Sensory Inclusion Service of the Borough of Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire County Council (co-ordinating partner);
Malta: Skola Helen Keller / Gozo Association for the Deaf;
Sweden: The National Upper School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Örebro.
Learner involvement
Learners were very actively involved in the work of the project. The key learners were the service providers in the three partner countries and the families and young people with hearing impairment. The latter were heavily involved through the consultation survey and processes detailed above.
Impact
On the organisation
The project has provided new knowledge and enabled the development of
better ‘client led’ service delivery.
On staff
The project has increased staff’s knowledge and awareness of the
protocols and procedures in partner countries. Ongoing contacts have
facilitated the sharing of knowledge and expertise so vital in a low
incidence specialist field.
On adult learners
Learners have knowledge of how services are delivered in partner
countries. They have also had the chance to share experiences and see how
consultation can enhance involvement and ensure that service delivery
meets their needs.
On outside bodies
The consultation report has received much interest in organisations
training specialist workers in the field of deafness and hearing
impairment in several institutions of Higher Education in England and
Europe. There has been particular interest shown in the method of
consultation employed and in the literature survey and research undertaken
for this project.
Contact details
Name, organisation and address:
Andrew Broughton
Head of Sensory Inclusion Service
Glebe Centre
Glebe Street
Wellington
TELFORD
TF1 1JP
Telephone no.:01952 522660
Email: andrew.broughton@telford.gov.uk
Classification data
Project focus
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Active citizenship |
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Essential skills |
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Inter-generational learning |
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Cultural/multi-cultural |
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ICT and learning |
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Foreign languages |
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Other* |
X |
*Engagement, involvement and learning on the part of clients in specialist service delivery.
Project Type: Grundtvig 2 (Learning Partnerships)
UK Project Base
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East Midlands |
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East of England |
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London |
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North East |
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Northern Ireland |
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North West |
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Scotland |
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South East |
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South West |
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Wales |
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West Midlands |
X |
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Yorkshire and the Humber |
