STARS is a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for children, young people and their families who have been affected by sexual abuse. With a new team member due to join, who is a Deaf British Sign Language user, the Lead Clinician contacted us. She and the team wanted to do everything they could to make their colleague welcome, so booked a half day Deaf Awareness and BSL session. This proved so popular that we taught a second session the following week to another group. Kathleen and Paul shared communication tips, taught fingerspelling, phrases for meeting and greeting, and some specific vocabulary for their work roles.

The purpose of STARS is to ensure that anyone referred to CAMHS who has experienced sexual abuse receives an appropriate service which meets their therapeutic needs, improves their emotional wellbeing and helps them to achieve their full potential. This could include Deaf people so it is vital that the whole team are aware of accessibility needs, and a huge benefit if they can sign some phrases in BSL.

Contact us if you would like to book Deaf Awareness and BSL training for your organisation.