Worcestershire SLCN pathway

The Worcestershire SLCN Pathway is based on the belief that parents are the most important people in a child’s life in terms of making a positive difference to speech, language and communication development at all stages.  It provides information to help identify if your child needs support to develop their communication skills as well as strategies to promote communication skills.

Cost: Free

Progress Checker

Speech and Language UK's progress checker provides short questions you can answer to see how your child is getting on with their speech, language and communication development.

Cost: Free

Tiny Happy People SEND information

This area of the Tiny Happy People BBC website provides a wide range of information, ideas and activities for parents of children with SEND.

Cost: Free

Children's Centres

Children's Centres give help and advice on child and family health and parenting.  Use this link to find a Children's Centre close to you. 

Cost: Free

Hear Glue Ear

A free, award-winning app, designed for children experiencing hearing loss due to glue ear.

The Hear Glue Ear app is a valuable tool to help families manage their child’s glue ear at home. Glue ear is one of the most common childhood conditions in children aged 2-6, and the concern is that some young children with persistent or recurrent glue ear might struggle to develop speech, language, listening, and social communication skills. 

Cost: Free App

Afasic

Afasic supports parents and carers with young children who have difficulties with listening, talking and understanding others.  Here they provide you with a wide range of information about talking, listening and understanding and what might cause these difficulties.  If you worried that your young child is not talking or not saying as much as other children of their age, you can contact Afasic by telephone or email to speak to someone who can help. 

Cost: Free

BBC Something Special

Something Special uses songs, rhymes and visual humour with Makaton sign language to help you and your child learn how to communicate as well as develop their language in a fun and exciting way.

Cost: Free

Speech and Language UK Ages and Stages

Young children develop speech and language at different rates. Understanding what is typical can help you identify speech and language support needs.  You can also find out how to help your child learn to talk and develop their communication skills.

Cost: Free

Afasic About Talking

Afasic supports parents and carers with young children who have difficulties with listening, talking and understanding others. Here you will find information about: talking, listening and understanding; the terms used to describe these skills; how to recognise if your young child may have difficulties in these areas; some of the terms used to describe types of difficulties; what might cause these difficulties and the impact that this may have on their development

Afasic Parent Helpline

If you are worried about your child / young person's speech, language and communication, contact Afasic by telephone or email to speak to someone who can help. 

Cost: Free

Signalong

Signalong provides training and resources to assist those with communication difficulties and English as an additional language.

Signalong is a key word sign-supported communication system based on British sign language and is used in spoken word order. It uses speech, sign, body language, facial expression and voice tone to reference the link between sign and word.

Cost: Free & £

Makaton sign and symbol resources

These free Makaton resources are available for you to access and use to support communication with your young child.  These symbols and signs help you to provide extra information and clues about what you are saying as well as support the development of essential communication skills such as attention and listening and understanding. 

Cost: Free

RADLD

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is diagnosed when children struggle to develop language, resulting in children who have difficulty understanding what people say to them, and struggle to articulate their ideas and feelings.  This website signposts parents and carers to further information and resources to help identify and support their child with DLD.

Cost: Free

The Hanen Centre Parent Programmes

The Hanen Centre's programmes for parents are delivered by Hanen Certified speech and language therapists.  They are delivered through activities and group discussions - small groups of parents learn how to use everyday opportunities to improve their child's speech, language and communication skills. Hanen provides families with the tools they need to help their child reach their full communication potential.  Hanen has developed parent programmes for Language Delays, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Literacy. 

Using visual support

Parents play a key role in supporting their child's language and communication skills in everyday life. Children learn about the world through their experiences and interests particularly within their play. Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust provide information and opportunities for families to learn more about developing their child's speech and language - this video introduces how to use visual support to help communication.

Cost: Free

ASLTIP

The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) provides information and a contact point for members of the public searching for an Independent Speech and Language Therapist. It also provides members with access to a UK network of SLTs and ongoing professional support.

Cost: £

EarlyBird Programme

EarlyBird is a support programmes for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with young autistic children under five years. The programme works on understanding autism, building confidence to encourage interaction and communication, and understanding and supporting behaviour.

EarlyBird Plus Programme

EarlyBird Plus is a support programmes for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with young autistic children aged 4-9 years.  The programme works on understanding autism, building confidence to encourage interaction and communication, and understanding and supporting behaviour.

Developing Joint Attention

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to help develop your child's joint attention - this means being able to focus on the same thing as you at the same time. How to help your child develop joint attention through play is broken down to help you easily understand what to do step by step.

Cost: Free

Now and Next Boards

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use a 'now and next' or 'first and then' board to help your child understand what is going to happen next and to encourage them to do what you want them to do.  It explains how using pictures can help if children are having difficulties with language.

Cost: Free

Using Objects and Sensory Cueing

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use objects and sensory cueing to link words, objects and routines. This helps children prepare for and anticipate what is going to happen next; supports language development; supports them to become engaged in a variety of daily routines.

Cost: Free

Communication Boards

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to use communication boards through play and everyday activities to supporting understanding and as a way to allow your child to communicate with you.

Cost: Free

Creating Opportunities to Communicate

Birmingham Community Healthcare Speech and Language Therapists have produced this video to show you how to make small changes throughout the day to increase your child's opportunities to communicate and have a reason to communicate.

Cost: Free

Michael Palin Centre for Stammering

The Michael Palin Centre for Stammering helps children, young people and adults who stammer through individually-tailored therapy delivered by highly experienced specialists. 

Engage with Developmental Language Disorder

Engage with Developmental Language Disorder (E-DLD) connects people affected by DLD to academic research.  E-DLD keep families and individuals updated on research findings; current research projects; DLD-related activities.  They also host events, allowing members to meet and share experiences. E-DLD supports researchers and other professionals working to improve outcomes for people with DLD. 

Stamma

The British Stammering Association, now known as Stamma since 2019, is a national organisation for children who stammer - here you will find information, advice and support.  You can also contact Stamma using their helpline; webchat or email facility.  They are available to answer your questions, listen and help you find information.

Cost: Free

SMIRA

SMIRA became a UK Registered Charity in 1992, having been set up initially to support families with selectively mute children. Here you will find further information, advice and resources to help you understand and support your child.

Cost: Free

Action for Stammering Support Hub

Action for Stammering Children (ASC) is a UK charity which aims for a society where children and young people who stammer have the same opportunities and quality of life as their peers. Their goal is to ensure that every child and young person across the UK who stammers has access to effective services and support to help them meet the challenges they face.  Call their support hub to speak to a professional who will be able to answer your questions.

Cost: Free