The Speech, Language and Communication Disorders Team

We are a team of experienced practitioners with a specialism in Speech, Language and Communication Disorders (SLCD) who offer an educational advisory service to support children and young people with a specific or significant SLCD.

We work collaboratively to upskill school staff and parents and offer bespoke support directly to children. We aim to empower children so that they can achieve positive outcomes and make progress. We run 2 Additional Resourced Provisions for children with SLCD based in Bishop Wilson Primary and Valley Primary Schools.

What do we do?

We are an educational advisory service who support children and young people with a specific speech, language and communication disorder.

We have worked closely with SALT and the SISS Communication and Learning Difficulties (CLD) Team to agree a Pathway of support for children. It has been agreed that only children with a SPECIFIC, significant/severe, speech, communication and/or language disorders will be referred to us through their service.  All other children will be able to access support through the SISS CLD Team, or equivalent if schools buy-in another provider.

Once a new referral from the SALT is accepted, a consultation will be offered to support the SENCo and school professionals. Parents will also be contacted and written advice provided. The child/young person will then either move to ‘universal support’ and the SLCD Team will step back whilst the advice is implemented, or support will be stepped up to High Needs Teacher Advice/High Needs ISP Support, if this is advised.

The team have identified activities, resources and website links that we think will be useful to
support parents and carers.

Information and activities for parents

Make a Referral

The “Make a referral” form is intended for SENCOs or speech and language therapists (SALT) to complete.

If, following the initial intervention period, or a subsequent intervention cycle, the team working around the child (TAC) agree that further advice from a Speech, Language and Communication Disorders (SLCD) team specialist is required, then a Request for High Needs Support form can be submitted by the school SENCo.

Details of the four-step referral process are provided below:

For all accepted new referrals there will be a ‘New Referral Support Support’ virtual consultation meeting with a specialist teacher from the Speech, Language and Communication Disorders Team (SLCD). They will ensure that the professional in school understands the assessment carried out by Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT), what the impact may be for the child and suggest any additional resources to ensure that the teacher can best meet need.

Parents will also be offered a separate consultation and a summary will be sent to both school and parents.

Following the consultation meeting, the school, parents and child will carry out the intervention targets. The child will then be placed at a ‘universal level level’ on the Speech, Language and Communication Disorders Team (SLCD) caseload and we will step back from the team working around the child (TAC).

If, following the initial intervention period, or a subsequent intervention cycle, the team working around the child (TAC) agree that further advice from a Speech, Language and Communication Disorders (SLCD) team specialist is required, then a ‘Request for High Needs Support form’ will be completed by the school SENCo.

Information provided will evidence the Assess / Plan / Do / Review cycle/s of support, provide evidence of progress against Speech and Language Therapy Service (SALT) / virtual consultation targets and detail the intended outcomes from the High Needs Support request.

The request will be considered by the SLCD Team Lead and the outcome sent to the school SENCo and parents.

Request for High Needs Support Form

If High Needs Speech, Language and Communication Disorders Team (SLCD) support is agreed,  the school will be offered a High Needs observation and advice visit from a SLCD specialist teacher.

The advice will focus on the intended outcomes outlined in the request.

Documents

Websites which may be useful