The schools' speech and language therapy (SLT) service support children and young people (CYP) within mainstream schools and specialist provisions in close liaison with families and key agencies. This includes working with CYP with a range of identified Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN), for example:
- difficulty understanding language in instructions, questions and conversations
- difficulty understanding the meaning of words
- difficulty finding the words to express their ideas
- difficulty formulating sentences
- difficulty with speech production.
The service provides core NHS service to primary school-aged children. Some localities also offer a service to secondary aged pupils. The level of service varies depending on locally agreed commissioning arrangements and may include:
- assessment within 18 weeks of referral, followed by a report and recommendations
- advice to education staff on the use of universal strategies to support a range of speech, language and communication needs and anonymised case discussions
- Offering training to school staff and parents/carers on how to support CYP with SLCN on the use of targeted areas of intervention (such as attention and listening skills, vocabulary, narrative skills)
- providing direct SLT support identified in the Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
- attending multi-disciplinary meetings with other professionals (such as SENCos Educational Psychologists, education staff), including annual reviews of Education and Health Care Plans (EHCP).
How might CYP with language and/or communication needs present?
- show limited attention in class
- not retain what has been said
- struggle to understand instructions and information
- use limited vocabulary or difficulty finding words
- use language which sounds immature for their age
- have difficulties putting a sentence together and using grammar correctly
- have limited ability to tell stories (such as saying what they did during the day)
- talk less than their peers and find it difficult to express themselves verbally
- have difficulties understanding information they have read
- have difficulties making and keeping friendships
- struggle with understanding and managing emotions
- have difficulties with low self-esteem and anxiety which may result in behavioural difficulties or withdrawal.
Language and communication needs may include specific diagnoses such as language disorder or developmental language disorder. For further information regarding SLCN or specific diagnoses, please access our online training.
Training
Our aim is to empower staff and parents so that they know how to support children and young people (CYP) at home and within their school settings. Please find information below on training for supporting CYP at all levels, including universal (all CYP), targeted (CYP with identified needs who may need extra support), and specialist (CYP needing specific or specialist support).
The following training provides advice and information for supporting all CYP with speech, language and communication needs. The training is free and can be accessed by all, as appropriate:
(1) Introduction to speech, language and communication needs for school aged children
This training provides an introduction to speech, language and communication development, difficulties and diagnoses that children might experience and outlines information about local speech and language therapy services.
(2) Parent/carer workshop: Supporting school aged children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
This training provides useful strategies that parents and carers can use at home to support school aged children with speech, language and communication needs. This gives an overview of language development and how you can support this at home; some of these strategies will also be beneficial for older children and young people.
(3) Supporting primary aged children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
This training provides a more detailed overview on difficulties and support for primary aged children with speech, language and communication needs. This workshop has been developed for school staff but may also be beneficial for parents/carers.
(4) Supporting secondary aged children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
This training provides a more detailed overview on difficulties and support for secondary aged young people with speech, language and communication needs. This workshop has been developed for school staff but may also be beneficial for parents/carers.
(5) Transition to Secondary School
This training workshop enables schools and parents to deliver a five-part programme for Year 6 students with Speech, Language and Communication
The workshop is accompanied by resource pack. Before completing this workshop, please contact the administration office via
(6) Active Listening
This workshop is in the process of being developed. Please check back for updates.
(7) Using visual support at school and home
This training provides an overview of what visual support is, how it can be used to support children and young people and provides lots of examples that can be adapted across settings and activities.
(8) Vocabulary
This workshop is in the process of being developed. Please check back for updates.
(9a) Language through colour
Language through colour is a colour coded approach that can be used to support language development. This workshop provides an understanding of how language through colour can be used to support learning as well as lots of examples of how it can be used within the classroom and in targeted interventions.
(9b) Colourful semantics
Like Language Through Colour, Colourful Semantics is a colour coded approach that can be used to support language development. This workshop
(10) Narrative skills
This training workshop provides an overview of the importance of narrative skills, how different interventions can be used to support the
(11) Using a framework to develop verbal reasoning skills
Verbal reasoning skills refer to our ability to understand and problem solve information and then frame our reasoning into words. This workshop introduces different frameworks that can be used to assess and teach verbal reasoning skills.
Bespoke training
Bespoke whole school training can also be arranged by request. This could include: Narrative, vocabulary, active listening, concept development. For further information, please contact your local schools team for details of availability and any applicable costs.
Other training
Education and health services across Kent work collaboratively to jointly deliver language for learning to support all those working with CYP with speech, language and communication needs.
The training consists of modules focusing on key aspects of speech, language and communication development. It provides an extensive range of practical strategies, ideas and resources which can be used to support children and young people's inclusion and access to the curriculum.
Leaflets
Leaflets are available via the Afasic website.
Useful websites
- ICAN
For information relating to speech, language and communication needs. - AFASIC
This website supports parents and represents children and young people with speech, language and communication needs. - Talking Point
Advice for teaching staff around adapting the classroom environment and supplementing teaching approaches. - The Communication Trust
A group of over 50 not for profit organisations working together to support people who work with children and young people with language and communication needs. - NAPLIC
An organisation for teachers, SLT's and other professionals aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of children and young people with language and communication needs.
Further information
Contact local schools team for details of availability and any applicable costs.
Alternatively please return to The Pod homepage where you will find a map with our venues and contact numbers.
Referral
If you are concerned about your child's speech, language and /or communication skills, please speak with the SENCO at your CYP's school.
Schools are required carry out screening of the pupil's language needs and to implement 2 terms of intervention before referring in to the service for an initial assessment. Once completed schools can refer using the Children's Therapies Service referral form.
Following the referral, the SLT will arrange to visit the CYP at school for an initial assessment and to meet / liaise by phone with the parent/carer.