Speech and Language UK want better training and more specialists
A speech and language charity are calling on the government to revisit their plans for SEND reform, claiming that the existing proposals overlook children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). DLD is a lifelong condition where children have long-term challenges talking and/or understanding words. Children with DLD may struggle to process instructions, follow classroom talk or express themselves clearly.
Speech and Language UK have published a report The Missing Million, highlighting the needs of the estimated 1.3 million children with DLD in England. While welcoming the government’s Schools White Paper as a ‘bold vision for changing England’s education system for the better’, and saying it is clear that the government ‘cares about speech, language, and communication skills’, the report argues that the reform plans ‘have failed to take the opportunity to talk specifically about children and young people with DLD at all’. DLD is not mentioned specifically in the proposed SEND reforms, which instead talk more broadly about speech, language and communication needs.
Speech and Language UK argue that children with DLD require specific support, and there is a widespread lack of awareness of the condition, with pupils going underdiagnosed, underrecognised, and under-supported. The charity says practical solutions already exist and that specialist provision, early identification, expert support and clearer system design could all help to improve inclusion for those with the condition. They are calling for DLD to be covered specifically in the new SEND training that is being developed for schools, and for officials at the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted to also receive training. They would also like to see the recruitment of more speech and language therapists and specialist language teachers, as well as see clear information about conditions like DLD made available on the NHS website.
Jane Harris, chief executive of Speech and Language UK, commented: ‘The Government is right to say it wants an inclusive SEND system that enables all children to thrive and achieve. But our report shows there is still a major blind spot at the heart of these reforms. One of the biggest groups of children and young people with SEND are not mentioned once in this document and have never been talked about by the Secretary of State. If ministers are serious about inclusion, they must stop leaving children with DLD hidden inside broad language and instead make sure they are clearly recognised and properly designed for before the consultation closes.’
Steve Jamieson, chief executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, said: ‘The government’s SEND reforms must ensure that children and young people with DLD get the support they need. This means better training for education staff, alongside improved access to specialists such as speech and language therapists, as part of a wider system that supports all children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.’
A DfE spokesperson said: ‘Our once-in-a-generation SEND reforms are transforming the system so that every child, including all of those with speech, language and communication needs, receives the right support, in their local school, at the earliest possible stage. We’re investing £1.8 billion to widen access to advice, guidance and support from specialists, like speech and language therapists, in every community up and down the country – enabling specialists to work directly with schools to provide needs-led support that reaches children faster and earlier. We’re also rolling out a comprehensive training package for all teachers on SEND, as well as investing £40 million to boost the educational psychology and speech and language therapy workforce – ensuring a pipeline of trained specialists to support children with a range of needs.’
The government’s SEND reform consultation is open until 18 May.