Introduction

Children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have difficulty in communicating with others. This may be because they have difficulty saying what they want to, understanding what is being said to them or they do not understand or use social rules of communication. The profile for every child with SLCN is different and their needs may change over time. They may have difficulty with one, some or all of the different aspects of speech, language or social communication at different times of their lives. (SEN Code of Practice 2015 para 6.28).

A number of fact sheets about speech, language and communication and associated conditions can be found on the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists website.

The section focusses on meeting speech and language needs and is split into 4 different areas:

• Whole school responsibilities (including a whole school audit and action planning tool)
• Quality First Teaching (including a teacher self-audit tool)
• SEN support in school (including links to possible assessments and interventions)
• Using specialist support services, (predominately accessing and working with Speech and Language Services).