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<p>Funding is available through the adult education budget (AEB) for qualifications
in or focussing on British Sign Language (BSL) up to and including level 2. About
60% of the AEB has been devolved to Mayoral Combined Authorities and the Greater London
Authority who determine which provision to fund for learners resident in their areas.
Education and Skills Funding Agency provides the remaining funding for learners resident
in non-devolved areas. Some providers of community learning offer BSL courses, and
those providers determine the course fees, including levels of fee remission. For
qualifications at level 3 and above, Advanced Learner Loans are available for certain
BSL qualifications. BSL qualifications and the appropriate further education funding
offer can be found here: <a href="https://www.qualifications.education.gov.uk/Search"
target="_blank">https://www.qualifications.education.gov.uk/Search</a>. Eligible students
will be able to apply for student support if their undergraduate course is designated
for funding under The Education (Student Support) Regulations 2011. If undertaking
a BSL qualification that leads to a masters level qualification, eligible students
can access a postgraduate loan, as long as they have not previously accessed the postgraduate
loan product, or already hold a level 7 qualification. Several universities and organisations
offer such qualifications.</p><p> </p><p>There is a statutory duty, under Section
17 of the Children Act 1989, for local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare
of ‘children in need’ in their area, including disabled children, by providing appropriate
services to them. Services for disabled children provided under Section 17 will typically
include short breaks for parent carers, equipment or adaptations to the home, and
support for parents.</p><p> </p><p>Section H1 of an education, health and care plan
must specify all services assessed as being needed for a disabled child or young person
under 18, under section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970. This
may include services to be provided for parent carers of disabled children, including
following an assessment of their needs under the Children Act 1989. Where this assessment
judges that the family needs provision to learn BSL, it could be included here.</p>
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