London,
22
September
2022
|
10:06
Europe/London

Information on Camden’s children’s services now available in British Sign Language

The Council has published its first video explaining Camden’s children’s services and the support available to families in the borough in British Sign Language (BSL).

The BSL video, which features deaf interpreters as well as full English subtitles, gives a detailed summary of services and support available for children and families in the borough, including Children in Need, Early Help and Child Protection services.

Published on the Council’s YouTube site during the International Week of Deaf Peoplewhich includes the International Day of Sign Languages on Friday 23 September - the video also marks this year’s introduction of the Act of Parliament which made BSL an official language of the UK with full legal status.

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council

We have signed a Disability Charter pledging to be more inclusive as an organisation and this shows that our staff are taking this to heart by making sure our children’s services are accessible to d/Deaf families. We think we’re the first local authority to have a film in BSL encompassing all of our children’s safeguarding and early help services in this way. This is an important step, but we know there is lots more work to do to make sure that all our services are accessible to d/Deaf residents.

Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council
Councillor Marcus Boyland, Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families

This video project was initiated by Camden staff, who felt other colleagues would benefit from this resource when working with d/Deaf families. Our aim is to ensure that everyone has equal access to information about the support and help available for our children and families in the borough, and the launch of this video is a positive step towards us achieving this. I’ve also recently signed up to a course to learn British Sign Language and I’d encourage others to do so too.

Councillor Marcus Boyland, Cabinet Member for Best Start for Children and Families
Jeremy Yankey, a local Deaf parent who attended the launch event

One of the main barriers for d/Deaf residents in Camden is communication. This is an important step towards breaking down these barriers, so thank you.

Jeremy Yankey, a local Deaf parent who attended the launch event

The new BSL video was launched at an event on Tuesday, 20 September, which brought together members of the d/Deaf community in Camden; Council staff, including children’s social workers; school and Camden Learning staff and the Leader of the Council to discuss the borough’s children’s services and the importance of making information accessible to everyone. The Council’s adult social care department is now looking into producing a similar BSL film to cover their services.

You can watch the full children’s services BSL video here.

On Friday (23 September), the Council’s main offices at 5 Pancras Square will be lit up blue in support of the World Federation of the Deaf’s Blue Light for Sign Languages event to highlight the unity brought by the shared experience of national sign languages.

Other Council services with British Sign Language videos: