This study used five in depth case studies using documentary analysis, interviews and structured case response methods. The study aimed to consider the impact of the move towards integrated children's service arrangements on how social care services for deaf children and their families are delivered and whether these arrangements create opportunities or threats to identify, assess and meet social care needs. Although good practice was identified, there were concerns about the quality, availability and appropriateness of social care services.
The separation of Adult and Children's Services tends to work to the detriment of deaf children and their families. Planning for services was often based on assumptions of deafness as an impairment which could with a lack of focus on psycho-social development aspects. The report highlights the importance of specialist deaf children and families social care services within the new Children's Structures.