Criteria and timeline for accessing Language and Communication Support

Criteria and timeline for accessing support.

Criteria and Timelines are under review as part of the SEND Transformation Programme. They are also impacted by the current significant financial constraints and pressures facing education.

Criteria for Accessing Support from the Service

To access support from the Language and Communication Service without a Statement of SEN, a child or young person’s primary need must be a developmental language disorder profile, (DLD). Whilst a diagnosis is not required, a DLD profile is.

If the Language and Communication Service is mentioned on a child’s Statement of SEN then the setting/school may request support from the service.

The Language and Communication Service follows a ‘model of continuum support.’ A child can access the Language and Communication Service without a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

Resources

Resources are available to children and young people, parents and carers, and schools. There are no criteria necessary to access these.

Training

Training is available for all school staff. This includes online training, which school staff may access via the Children and Young People's Service Training Programme.

Advice and Guidance

Advice and Guidance is available to teachers, other relevant professionals, and parents and carers of children who have language and communication difficulties with an identified SEN in Speech, Language and Communication Needs, specifically a Developmental Language Disorder diagnosis or profile.  This advice is available whether or not they have been referred to the Service.

Pupil Support

Pupil Support may be available, where appropriate, to a child with an identified SEN in Speech, Language and Communication Needs, specifically a Developmental Language Disorder diagnosis or profile. To be considered for this support a pupil will need:

  1. A Language and Communication Service Referral Form submitted by an EA.
  2. The school’s action as contained in the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) under Stage 1 including the outcomes of regular reviews.

Timeline for Accessing Support from the Service

An Educational Psychologist makes a referral to the Language and Communication Service via email.

Once a referral is received and if criteria is met, the parent/carer will be contacted within 6 weeks.

The Service will then assign a team member to the child.

Our aim is that within 12 weeks, the team member will begin an initial assessment which may include:

  • Parent/Carer conversation
  • Special Educational Needs Coordinator and teacher feedback
  • Pupil conversation (if appropriate)
  • Observation
  • Informal and formal assessment (if appropriate)

The assessment should be completed within four weeks. We will then develop a plan for the most appropriate form of support to help meet the child’s current needs. We will do this in collaboration with the child’s parents or carers and the school.

Within the next 2 weeks, initial recommendations will be shared with the school and parents or carers and intervention will begin (if required).

The pupil may have already received support from us in the past but may experience further difficulties as the curriculum becomes more challenging. Support is always provided on a needs-led basis.

1 Referral received

6 weeks

2 Initial contact with parent / carer

12 weeks

3 Initial assessment begins

4 weeks

4 Initial assessment ends

2 weeks

5 Support provided (if required)

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Contact the Language and Communication Service

The Language and Communication Service can be contacted for advice and information specific to children and young people who have, or may have, a language development need.