Letters to the Editor: Concern at cuts for deaf children services

We are concerned by the suggestion put forward by Reform in its Must Do Better report that school spending should be cut and no longer protected.

Over the past three years, vital education services for deaf children have been hit hard. Latest findings we published suggest 35 per cent of local authorities across England plan to cut education services for deaf children in 2013/14, with a further 28 per cent either at risk of cutting or undertaking a review.

We hosted an event at the Houses of Parliament to call on the government to protect specialist services for deaf children. More than 50,000 people have signed our Stolen Futures petition, which shows the high level of concern from parents.
Ian Noon, head of policy, National Deaf Children’s Society

University counselling needs a revamp
The survey by the National Union of Students is worrying, but it’s good to know the NUS is looking at how mental health care is provided in UK universities.

Young people we work with say support at university is a mixed bag across the country, with some praising the help they received and some being unaware it existed. University is a stressful time. For many, it is the first time they have lived away from the family home, have financial independence and face intense pressure to succeed. All these pressures make university a particularly challenging time.

Universities need to study these survey results and think about whether the services they offer are configured in the right way. It’s time for universities to talk to students about how they think services should be configured.
Lucie Russell, director of campaigns, policy and participation, YoungMinds

Challenge early years funding recipients
Your article on NDNA’s plans to trial existing maximum childcare ratios was thought-provoking.

It is clear that More Great Childcare and some of the messages being given by childcare minister Elizabeth Truss has, and is, causing division and mistrust among some professionals in early years.

Any organisation that receives money from the government needs to be challenged as to the purpose of that money, but the government hands out large sums to other organisations involved with early years and I hope they will also be challenged at some time.
Ken McArthur, Polly Anna’s Nursery