How to make sure I can provide good advice and information about speech, language and communication.

Speech, Language and Communication Framework

This professional development tool outlines the key skills for staff working with children to support and develop speech, language and communication skills. It consists of 2 elements, a self-assessment tool and Universal level learning modules.  The self-assessment tool enables practitioners to map their confidence, knowledge and skills in supporting speech, language and communication and identify areas for development.  The learning modules provide opportunity for practitioners to develop their knowledge in supporting speech, language and communication.   A group function is also available to enable audit of a cohort of practitioners to inform training plans.

Cost: Free

NHS Services and support for parents

NHS website with details for how to find a GP, Health Visitor and child health clinics in your area

Child Monitoring Tool

A profiling tool to monitor a babies development in relation to Listening and Attention; Understanding; Talking; and Social Skills.  As a practitioner you can highlight statements that the baby can do through ongoing observations and assessment as well as discussion with parents. The tool includes checkpoint statements which need to be particularly considered as, if a baby is not achieving these skills at the age indicated, this may indicate a speech, language and communication need that requires ongoing investigation and monitoring.

Cost: Free

Best Start in Speech, Language and Communication

This e-learning programme has been developed in partnership with Health Education England e-Learning for Healthcare, Public Health England and the Department for Education. Best Start in Speech, Language and Communication outlines the importance of the development of children’s speech and language skills for health visitors working with pre-school children and their families.

Cost: Free

Elklan training

Elklan courses are delivered by licensed tutors across the UK.  The evidence-informed courses are aimed at practitioners to support their knowledge about how to support babies' speech, language and communication. Elklan have also developed a range of courses for parents.

Cost: £

Development Matters

Development Matters supports all those working in early childhood education settings to implement the requirements of the EYFS and support the early learning of young children.  It can be used as part of daily observations, ongoing assessment and to inform planning. It can also be used to make best-fit summative judgements and with parents in relation to whether a child is showing typical development, is at risk of delay or is ahead for their age.  The age and stage bands suggest a typical range of development in many areas including Communication and Language; Personal, Social and Emotional Development and Literacy. The development statements have not been designed to be used as a checklist but can highlight areas to focus on for developing key skills. 

Cost: Free

WellComm Toolkit

The WellComm Assessment is for use with any child aged 6 months to 6 years and enables practitioners to evaluate children's language skills, draw up a detailed profile and identify children at risk of having difficulty in developing language skills.  It identifies those children who need setting-based monitoring and support and those who need referral to specialist support services.  The screen is completed through observation, discussion with families and screening by asking children to carry out a variety of tasks ensuring that results obtained and conclusions drawn are more accurate than using one approach alone.

The WellComm Big Book of Ideas has been designed for use following a WellComm assessment of any child aged 6 months to 6 years.  It includes general strategies as well as very specific activities to develop and improve children's speech and language skills and can be implemented by any early years practitioner or parent using toys and items that can be found in settings or at home.  The activities are used to develop the particular skills highlighted for support in the assessment - this means that the activities delivered are specific and appropriate to the individual child language development stage and can be used in the setting or at home.

Training videos are included in the toolkit.  

NLT Tips for talking leaflets

The National Literacy Trust provides a wide range of parent-friendly downloadable leaflets outlining tips for talking, why talking to your baby matters and the benefits for their development. The ideas include information for talking in daily routines such as during nappy changing, information for dads and activities to support communication when out and about. 

Cost: Free

Communication Friendly Spaces Approach

The Communication Friendly Spaces Approach focuses on the role of the environment in supporting speaking and listening skills, emotional well-being, physical development and general engagement.  The approach promotes learning environments that reflect the aspirations of individual organisations; regularly change according to the needs of the children using them; inform how learning happens; and reflect who and what is valued.  It uses an evidence and inquiry-based learning approach to help children develop emotional security and skills across many areas. 

Cost: £

Every Child a Talker

The materials are designed to support you to develop high quality language provision in your setting. The guidance helps you to create developmentally appropriate, supportive and stimulating environments in which young children can enjoy experimenting with and learning language. It can be implemented in Early Years settings, including childminders.

Cost: Free

Speech and Language UK Learning to Talk, Talking to Learn

This series of videos for practitioners helps you to understand your role in supporting speech, language and communication development.  The videos cover: the importance of communication; early years observations; how children learn to talk and activities that help. It includes built in exercises to support and reinforce your learning.

Cost: Free