About Us: Access to services for low income families

Auditory Verbal^UK seeks to ensure that no family is prevented from access to AVT on grounds of affordability due to low income. We will support and advise families to secure funding from their local education authority or, where this is not possible, advise on possible sources of charitable funding that the family might access. In cases where neither of these funding sources is possible, the Centre will, as funding allows, seek to establish a bursary fund to enable up to 20 per cent of its therapy slots to be used by low income families.

REACH OUT... for an equal start.
An exciting project for families of children with hearing impairment.

Charitable trust funding has recently given us the opportunity to offer places to families who, because of financial barriers, would not otherwise have the chance to participate. Normally places are either funded by parents themselves or by Local Authorities through a child’s Statement of Special Educational Needs.

The new charitable funding gives Auditory Verbal^UK the opportunity to provide a small number of ‘no-fee places’ for low income families. It will not displace funding that the family might otherwise receive for the provision.

Giving deaf children an equal start

AV^UK works with hearing impaired children and their families towards the goal of developing listening and talking as equals alongside their hearing peers. Achieving this equal start is vital for long-term educational outcomes.

Many of the children we work with close the language gap with their hearing peers long before they start school. Closing this gap as rapidly as possible in the early years is a crucial first step to equal participation in mainstream education.

Which families can join?

To be eligible for places on the REACH OUT programme, families must either have joint household income of no more than £30,000 or receive income support. We will require proof of eligibility at the initial appointment. All information is kept strictly confidential. They will have a child with a moderate or greater hearing loss, aged 3 years or under, whose loss was highlighted by new-born screening.

What will be involved?

Families on the REACH OUT programme will typically have fortnightly sessions at our facilities in Bicester over a maximum three year period. Consideration may be given to assistance with travel expenses.

How do I find out more?

Whether you are interested in the REACH OUT programme or want to learn more about our equal start work as a whole, please contact us directly:

T: 01869 321492
E: reachout@avuk.org

You can also download our REACH OUT flyer (.pdf)