British Sign Language 5-year plan: Department for Education (English and BSL versions)
Published 21 July 2025
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-department-for-education/british-sign-language-5-year-plan-department-for-education-english-and-bsl-versions
BSL version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Q36Uuhjxk
Introduction
The Department for Education (DfE) is committed to improving the accessibility of its communications for British Sign Language (BSL) users in accordance with the BSL Act 2022. This is also in line with the government’s Opportunity Mission, which aims to break the link between young people’s background and their future success.
Over the last 2 years, DfE has published BSL content to:
- support the launch of the BSL GCSE
- engage audiences on the Curriculum and Assessment Review
- communicate the findings of research about children with special educational needs
But we recognise we need to go further.
The act states that BSL should be actively considered for any public announcement on policy or changes to the law, including:
- publication of plans, strategies, policies, consultations and consultation responses
- press conferences
- social media
- websites
This 5-year plan outlines the steps DfE and its arm’s length bodies (ALBs) will take to make its communications more accessible for BSL users, particularly young people, parents and those who work in education. They will do this by embedding best practice into their policies, processes, and delivery mechanisms.
Short-term actions (over the next year)
Conduct a departmental review to assess current BSL provision and identify gaps in communications accessibility.
Continue to engage with the BSL Advisory Board, particularly the education subgroup, to:
- better understand the challenges faced by Deaf individuals when accessing DfE communications
- identify priority areas for BSL translation and interpretation, including those based on public interest, safeguarding and accessibility needs
Identify the main public-facing communications where BSL translation, interpreting, or bespoke BSL content would be most impactful, using guidance published by the Government Communication Service (GCS).
Expand internal communication to raise awareness among staff (DfE and ALBs) about the BSL Act and its implications for public communications.
Distribute GCS guidance on best practice for incorporating BSL into government communications.
Promote improved guidance on procuring BSL translation and interpretation services to ensure accuracy and accessibility.
Enhance social media accessibility by incorporating BSL video summaries into important announcements and policy updates.
Establish a senior responsible officer and BSL champions across the department and within ALBs. These will be able to champion, advise on, and report back on actions taken to improve accessibility of communications for BSL users.
Publish an annual progress report outlining improvements, challenges, and areas for further development.
Work across government departments to ensure consistent BSL accessibility practices and to learn from best practice.
Medium-term actions (2 to 3 years)
Implement BSL awareness and training for DfE and ALB staff, incorporating lessons learnt. We will prioritise those responsible for public communications and customer service roles.
Improve website accessibility by embedding BSL video explanations in high-traffic areas, ensuring they are easy to find and navigate.
Continue building relationships with the BSL Advisory Board and the education subgroup, to ensure ongoing improvements.
Longer-term actions (4 to 5 years)
Conduct an evaluation of BSL implementation across DfE and ALB public-facing communications.
Establish feedback mechanisms with the Deaf community to improve accessibility measures in DfE publications, ministerial keynote speeches, and digital content.
Develop a framework for ongoing evaluation of BSL communications and accessibility measures.
Ensure that all future policy developments consider the need for accessible communication strategies, with BSL – and other accessible formats – planned for from the outset.