We’re pleased to announce that the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) has signed a Voluntary Recognition Agreement with Community—an important step forward for staff engagement and workplace relations.
Who does the agreement cover?
The bargaining unit includes all NDCS employees with a contract of employment, including:
- Full-time and part-time staff
- Fixed-term employees
- Sessional workers
It excludes senior leadership roles, including Chapter Leads, Platform Leads, C-Suite roles, the Chief Executive and Executive Board members.
Senior Organiser, Katie Allan said:
“Securing this recognition agreement with the National Deaf Children’s Society is a landmark moment for our members and staff across the organisation. As the sole recognised trade union for NDCS, Community is proud to represent our members at the NDCS, giving them a strong, unified voice in the workplace. We look forward to working collaboratively with NDCS leadership to protect terms and conditions, champion fair pay, and foster a positive workplace culture, ensuring our members are fully supported as they carry out their vital work for deaf children and their families.”
What does the agreement mean for Community members at NDCS?
Community is now NDCS’s sole recognised trade union for collective bargaining. The agreement establishes a collaborative framework to protect employee rights, promote fair terms and conditions, and give members a meaningful voice in negotiations.
Key benefits include:
- Collective bargaining: Community will negotiate annual pay reviews and proposed changes to members’ terms and conditions.
- A voice in workplace change: A clear consultation process will apply before significant changes, including restructures, redundancies, major policy revisions and operational changes.
- Workplace representation: NDCS members may now be accompanied and represented by a Community representative.
- Stronger representation: Elected Community representatives will receive paid time off to support members, attend training and carry out their duties.
- Better access and facilities: NDCS will provide elected representatives with the facilities and tools needed to support and communicate with members, including meeting rooms and digital channels.
George Crockford, NDCS CEO says he’s delighted to welcome Community as the National Deaf Children’s Society recognised trade union partner:
“Community Union’s approach is based on partnership, constructive conversation and solving problems together which is at the heart of how we work as well. They also understand the balance we need to maintain between supporting our colleagues with a strong voice with our wider responsibility to do the very best we can for deaf children and their families. We are very much looking forward to working together.”
The agreement demonstrates a shared commitment to a fair, open and positive workplace. By bringing NDCS management and staff together within a clear framework, it offers employees greater reassurance and stronger collective representation while supporting the best possible outcomes for deaf children and their families.
Secure recognition with Community today
Recognition with Community helps organisations build a resilient, engaged and supported workforce. It promotes collaborative problem-solving, streamlines consultation and strengthens transparency. Staff gain a collective voice on pay and workplace issues, trained union representation and formal protection for their terms and conditions. To create a fairer, stronger and more collaborative workplace, register your interest in recognition today.
© Community Trade Union 2026
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Due to service demands it is not always possible for our advisors to reply to your query immediately. We aim to respond within 48 hours of receipt.
If your employer has invited you to a formal meeting (disciplinary, grievance or appeal) and you are seeking representation, if you have not already done so via this form, please provide us with all relevant supporting information including any notes/minutes from any investigation process and your email/letter of invitation, which should include full details of when and where the meeting is due to take place.
Please note that representation is not provided for investigation meetings.
If you have any further queries, please contact our Service Centre Department on 0800 389 6332 or at servicecentre@community-tu.org.
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