Educational inclusion of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and from migrant Roma families: Implications for multi-professional working

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research examined the educational inclusion of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and from Roma families who have migrated to England. The study was co-developed with practitioners in the field and involved: a demographic survey of deaf education services; five institutional case studies of local authority services and four individual case studies of children who are DHH and from Roma families. An intersectional approach to the analysis of the data revealed the different vulnerabilities associated with being a child who is DHH and being from a migrant Roma family in England. The study provides the first estimate of the numbers of children who are DHH and from Roma families in England. It also documents an overview of the support offered to Roma children by local authority services and offers insights into the experiences of families and children. In conclusion, it considers the implications for multi-professional practice.