Our virtual information session for MPs

A new government brings new opportunities. We at Speech and Language UK are looking forward to working with the new government to help the 1.9 million children who are struggling to talk and understand words. We know that unfortunately this number is on the rise – up from 1.5 million just two years ago.  

Speech and language challenges don’t just impact a child’s talking and understanding of words. Children with these difficulties are six times more likely to be behind in English and eleven times more likely to be behind in Maths at age 11. They will also find it harder to make friends and will make up almost half of mental health service referrals. They will be twice as likely to be unemployed as young adults and will account for two thirds of the young offender population.   

Speech and language challenges are often hidden. All too often, these children are assumed to have difficulties with literacy, learning or behaviour – when in fact it’s an underlying speech and language challenge that’s the root cause. 

We were pleased with the Labour party’s recognition of the importance of early communication skills in their manifesto and their commitment to fund evidence-based early language interventions in primary schools. However, as outlined in our ‘Getting in early’ report, we believe that: 

• early language interventions should also be available to children at nursery age rather than waiting until they get to reception; 
• settings should be able to choose from a range of interventions that fit their circumstances rather than having a one-size-fits-all approach; 
• staff who work in early years settings also need valuable training in how they can support a child’s speech, language and communication skills throughout the day. 

That’s not all – there’s lots more that needs to be done to increase children’s life chances. New parents need to be given information about typical development and how to support their child’s speech, language and communication skills right from the start. Health Visitors need crucial training in how to use the Early Language Identification Measure (ELIM) to pick up early signs of a speech and language challenge at the two to two-and-a-half year review. We need a proper workforce strategy so that there are enough speech and language therapists to help children and young people with lifelong challenges. Not least, we need research and funding to develop mental health interventions that work for children who struggle to talk and understand words – as we know that this population of children can’t access talking therapies. 

Watch our session

We invited MPs to a free webinar on 18th September where we talked about these issues and what they can do to help. Any who weren’t able to attend can catch up on the recording below. We are also offering interested MPs a visit to a school or early years setting in their local area – please do get in touch with talktous@speechandlanguage.org.uk to arrange this.