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Speech, language, and communication needs education support

If you are worried about your child's speech, language and communication needs your child's school can help you. We recommend talking to their teacher first, or the school's SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator).

Learn more about speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).

Many schools are trained to use resources to screen for difficulties and provide support including:

  • Nuffield Early Language Intervention
  • SpeechLink
  • LanguageLink.

Over time they will learn more about your child or young person, and will go through a 4 part process called the 'assess, plan, do, review cycle' (the Graduated Approach).

Your child’s school may also have access to a link speech and language therapist.  They can provide help for:

  • school-wide strategies
  • targeted provisions or if needed
  • focused individual support.

If your child’s school does not yet have access to a link speech and language therapist and it is felt that more support is required, they may discuss a referral to your local speech and language therapy service.

You can also access the Speech and Language Link parent portal and visit the development tab to help you work out what the next steps are for your child’s learning, then go to the stage-appropriate activities section.