Speech, Language and Communication Framework

The Speech, Language and Communication Framework (SLCF) is a free online professional development tool.

The Speech, Language and Communication Framework (SLCF) is a free online professional development tool which sets out the key skills and knowledge needed by the children and young people’s workforce to support speech, language and communication skills.

It is a self-assessment tool which enables individuals to map out their skills, knowledge and confidence in supporting the development of these essential skills in the children and young people they work with.

The SLCF provides users with a personalised analysis of their current confidence levels and offers suggestions for next steps in continuing professional development (CPD) including training courses, reading and resources. In addition, at the Universal level, there are opportunities for practitioners to develop their learning through short interactive online activities.

Why do we need the SLCF?

For children who struggle to talk and understand words, their whole lives are affected. Speech, language and communication skills are linked to learning, attainment, behaviour, social and emotional development, as well as mental wellbeing, so it’s essential that everyone working with children and young people understands the importance of their role in supporting and developing these crucial skills. You can find out more about the scale of the issue here.

The SLCF brings together competencies in supporting children’s talking and understanding of words into one place. Using the SLCF, practitioners can easily see what they currently know and what areas they need to develop further.

There are 1.9 million children in the UK facing challenges with talking and understanding words. Approximately two children in every average classroom of 30 will experience a clinically significant language disorder that impacts on their learning. Language disorders are also more than seven times more prevalent in children than other developmental conditions such as autism.