Getting in early

Speech and language interventions that transform children's lives

Getting in early

The Labour Party have outlined in their manifesto that they will “fund evidence-based early-language interventions in primary schools, so that every child can find their voice.” 

This policy is long overdue and has the potential to be life-changing for children with speech and language challenges and their families. However, how it’s implemented will play a huge part in its success. With more children than ever facing challenges with talking and understanding words, delivering this policy so that the impact is truly felt by all those who would most benefit is now essential. 

Why early intervention is needed

“Try to empathise and understand how bewildering the world is for a child who cannot communicate and be understood, and how absolutely fundamental the ability to communicate is to learn and participate in education and society generally. Investing in a child’s ability to learn will pay dividends in terms of the future for the individual and for society and the economy at large”.

Family member of child with speech and language challenges

Getting in early

We’ve launched our new report ‘Getting in early’ to outline key factors that must be considered in the implementation of the commitment to fund early language interventions.

Read the full report

 

Fundamental to this are the following factors: 

  • Timing: The timing of interventions – nursery-aged as well as primary school children must benefit from the funding available. 
  • Choice: The necessity of choice – having a range of approved interventions available for each nursery or school to choose what would benefit them the most. 
  • Identification: An understanding of who would benefit most from support – tools to track talking and understanding words in early years as well as Key Stages 1 and 2. 
  • Training: Giving key professionals training to help children’s speech, language and communication skills in all their interactions. 

The impact of early intervention

“Practitioners who have accessed the programme have fedback that they have learned so much, that they are much more confident in supporting children’s learning and development now and that the impact of the programme is visible in the interactions they have with the children in their setting. They have enjoyed the programme and have been keen to share their skills with inspectors and to talk about the developments and changes that have been made within their settings as a result of taking part”.

Annette, local authority lead

Talk Boost

Talk Boost is a catch-up programme for children who are behind with talking and understanding words to boost their language skills.
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