Our School

Speech, Language and Communication Needs

What is Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)?

 

Speech, Language and Communication Needs is the term given to describing the wide range of needs relating to all aspects of communication – this includes; understanding others spoken language, producing sounds, forming words and sentences, to expressing thoughts and feelings and using language in a social context.

There are many different types of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). Some examples are:

  1. Difficulties understanding language: Such as struggling to follow instructions, or understanding what words mean.

  2. Expressive language difficulties: Difficulty using language to communicate.

  3. Speech sound disorders: Difficulty producing speech sounds correctly.

  4. Stammering (Stuttering): Disruptions in the flow of speech.

  5. Social Communication Difficulties: Challenges with using language in social contexts, such as understanding non-verbal cues or taking turns in conversation.

Find out more here Speech, language, and communication needs - Kent County Council 

 

What is the difference between speech, language and communication?

 

Speech refers to:

  • Accurately producing sounds to form words

  • Processing speech sounds

  • Being able to speak fluently with few errors, hesitations or repetitions

 

Language refers to:

  • Speaking, known as expressive language – using words to convey meaning

  • Understanding, processing and making sense of spoken language

 

Communication refers to:

  • Non-verbal communication - eye contact, gestures, body language etc.

  • Using language to interact with others – speaking and listening

  • Being able to use language purposefully in different contexts e.g. to question, describe, explain etc.

How We Support Your Child


In Kent, we are using the Balanced System® to help everyone work together to support pupils’ speech, language and communication. This means everyone involved in a child’s life can work together in a more joined up-way with the speech and language therapy service.

We work closely with our NHS link speech and language therapist, who regularly visits our school. They support us to review and develop our approach, advise staff, and work with individual pupils or small groups where needed.

Our current link therapist is Sonia Sivyer and Libbie Webb— your child may see them in class, in groups, or around the school.

  

Our Commitment – The Five Strands of the Balanced System®

We are working to ensure that...

  • We help parents and carers build the confidence, knowledge, and skills to support their child. Pupils are also encouraged to make choices about the support they receive (Family Support)

  • We create communication-friendly classrooms and learning spaces where every child can understand and express themselves (Environment)

  • Our staff are trained to spot speech, language, and communication needs and know how to support pupils effectively (Workforce)

  • We identify any needs as early as possible so children get the help they need quickly (Identification)

  • Where needed, we provide specific support to help children make progress (Intervention)

Levels of Support Available


Every child benefits from support at different levels. Some may need more targeted or specialist help at times in addition to universal support:

  • Universal Support - For all pupils. For example, using visual aids, clear instructions, and communication friendly teaching strategies.

  • Targeted Support - For pupils who need extra help. This could   include small group work or pre-teaching key vocabulary.

  • Specialist Support - For pupils with more complex needs. For example, therapy for a child with a complex speech sound disorder. 

If You Have Concerns


If you have any concerns about your child’s speech, language or communication skills, please speak to your child’s class teacher or a member of the Inclusion team. We will then work together to agree on the next steps.

If necessary, we may discuss your child’s needs with our link therapist and develop a plan. You will be kept informed about any plans to support your child.

An important principle of the Balanced System® is ensuring that what matters most to you and your child is central to agreeing on outcomes and setting targets.

Useful Websites For Parents

Further advice and information relating to Speech, Language and Communication Needs can be accessed using the links below:

Speech, language and communication needs - Kent County Council - general information about SLCN in Kent including how to access support.

NHS Kent Community Health - School Age Language - 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). 

The East Kent Hospitals website offers support for children with Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties. 

Speech Link – Parent Portal - The Speech Link Parent Portal website provides parents and carers with advice, information and activities for developing a child’s understanding, talking and listening. At Repton Manor Primary School we screen all children on entry to the school to assess both the language and speech development.

The Pod – KCHFT has been developed by the Integrated Children’s Therapies teams, provided by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust. This website provides a wealth of information and resources to support children and families. 

Speech and Language UK - provides a wealth of information relating to the speech, communication and language development of children, including the typical stages of speech and language development in babies, children and young people. They provide free resources and services that can help with understanding what to look out for, how to get support and even provides some simple ways that you can help your child at home.

BBC Tiny Happy People -advice and activities for all parents to support speech, language and communication development, up to age 5. 

Home - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives - national charity, lots of information on typical development, resources and advice translated into different languages.

SLCN - Afasic -national charity – information and resources.

RADLD - Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder

Words for Life | National Literacy Trust | Words for Life - parent advice to support language, literacy and communication for up to 12 years

The Balanced System® in Kent for Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) – KELSI - information aimed at schools and professionals, but may be of interest to parents wanting to understand how the Balanced System works in more detail.