How is a child referred to the Language and Communication Service?
Criteria and timeline for accessing support.
Can a parent or carer refer a child or young person to this Service?
A parent/carer cannot currently refer their child to the Language and Communication Service (LCS). The referral must be made via an EA Educational Psychologist (EP).
If a parent/carer has a concern about their child/young person, the issue should be raised with teachers/staff at the child’s educational setting or a professional such as a GP or social worker, who will then provide advice and guidance on the issue.
How is a Child or Young Person Referred to the Language and Communication Service?
Pre-school Aged Children
If your child/young person has an identified SEN, they may be referred to the Education Authority’s Early Years Inclusion Service (SENEYIS).
If your child/young person does not have an identified SEN, you may wish to contact the educational setting/pre-school which they attend to discuss their needs further.
You can talk to a number of professionals for advice including medical or social care professionals. You can also phone the Education Authority (EA) SEN Helpline for advice.
Primary Aged Children
If your child/young person has an identified Special Educational Need (SEN) in Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) and/or a diagnosis of Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), they may be referred to our Service by an EA Educational Psychologist (EP).
If your child/young person is being supported by the EA SEN Early Years Inclusion Service (SENEYIS), all relevant information is transferred to our Service once your child/young person is due to start primary education. We will then continue to provide your child, parents/carers and the educational setting/school with support appropriate to your child’s needs.
If your child/young person hasn’t been supported by SENEYIS previously and you think they may have a learning need, you are advised to talk to your child/young person’s teacher and/or SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator).
What Happens Following a Referral to the Language and Communication Service?
Once a referral is received and if it meets the referral criteria (click here for more information), a member of the team will be allocated to your child/young person.
Our team member will then complete an initial assessment based on information gathered from the child/young person, parents/carers and educational setting. They may also need to observe your child/young person, but parents/carers will be advised of this in advance.
Once all the information needed is gathered, the most appropriate form of support to help meet your child/young person’s current needs will be developed in collaboration with the child’s parents/carers and the educational setting.
Level of Support
For many children/young people with SEN, their specific needs can be met within their educational setting.
The support provided by our Service is based on the specific language difficulties and needs of each child/young person. If support is required, we can provide resources, training, advice and guidance for parents/carers and/or educational settings, and where applicable, support for your child/young person.
Support can be provided with or without a Statement of Special Educational Needs being in place.