The new referral form references a number of support packages that we expect our referrers to have tried before referring onto us. This graduated response should enable children to be supported with their Speech, Language and Communication Needs before being referred to a Speech and Language Therapist.
More information about the published resources we have referred to is below.
Some are more appropriate to schools, and some are in use by Health Visitors. Of course we don’t expect anyone to have tried multiple sources, but we will reject a referral that doesn’t evidence some support before referral unless it is from a paediatrician, a GP or a parent.
- ELIM (Early Language Identification Measure and Intervention). This is a screening tool used by Health visitors.
- Wellcomm assessment. A complete speech and language toolkit, from screening to intervention. Including a ‘Big Book of Ideas’ with targeted activities. The Public Health team from Lancashire County Council have supported the role out of this into nursery settings.
- Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI). A programme designed to support language and behaviour.
- Talkboost (ICAN charity). Including Early Talk Boost aged 3 to 4 years, Talk Boost KS1 aged 4 to 7 years and Talk Boost KS2 7 to 10 years. Complete package including assessment and intervention for children.
- Teaching and Learning Toolkit: Ordinarily Available Provision. A document where Lancashire County Council describes reasonable adjustments that schools can make from the funding and resources already available.
- Supporting Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs in Blackburn with Darwen The graduated response in mainstream schools. A document where Blackburn with Darwen Council describes reasonable adjustments that schools can make from the funding and resources already available.
- There are many websites available to schools to support the development of Speech and Language skills such as BBC Tiny Happy People and the National Literacy Trust, Word for Life. Both of these links are aimed at parents.
- Letters and Sounds. Letters and sounds is a Department of Education strategy around teaching phonics.
- Time to talk with Ginger Bear game. Time to Talk with Ginger Bear is a published resource available for schools and nurseries to buy and implement.
- Early years communication language road map. Designed for early years settings, this describes and signposts different resources and support to use before referral.
- Language groups. Some schools run their own language groups for children in their schools. In Blackburn with Darwen, you can seek support from the SEND service around groups.