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<p>Supporting children with speech, language and communications needs (SLCN) is extremely
important. The Children and Families Act 2014 provides the statutory framework for
identifying, assessing and providing for children with special educational needs (SEN)
and disabilities, including those with speech, language and communication needs. Guidance
to early years settings, schools, colleges and local authorities on carrying out their
duties under the Act is provided through the SEN and Disability Code of Practice.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Education settings are responsible for deciding what specialist
expertise they need to meet children and young people’s needs. The Department for
Education is taking action to support the development of the workforce in a number
of ways.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The ‘Early Language Development Programme’
is raising awareness and providing practical training to professionals to improve
early speech, language and communication development amongst children aged 0-5. The
programme was commissioned and funded by the Department for Education and delivered
by a consortium led by the specialist voluntary and community sector organisation
I CAN. The programme also supports parents and carers with knowledge and skills to
support their children’s speech, language and communication development.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>Funding is being provided to the Communication Trust which enables
it to offer expert advice and support materials on SLCN for parents, young people,
schools, colleges and other practitioners across education, health and care. It also
enables them to disseminate the findings of the Better Communication Research Programme
so as to promote the use of evidence based interventions to support children and young
people with SLCN and a focus among commissioners on outcomes and value for money;
and provide advice on specialist training and development for teachers and professionals
in schools and colleges.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The National College for Teaching
and Learning is developing specialist resources for initial teacher training and new
advanced level online modules on special educational needs - including resources on
speech and language needs, to enhance teachers’ knowledge, understanding and skills.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The National Scholarship Fund for teachers and support staff
provides opportunities to apply for funding to undertake postgraduate qualifications
and training in supporting children with SEN and disabilities, including those with
speech, language and communication needs. Over 1,000 teachers and support staff have
been supported through the fund since 2010.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The National
Association for Special Educational Needs, with funding from the Department for Education,
has developed a new SEND gateway - an online portal offering education professionals
free, easy access to high quality information, resources and training for meeting
the needs of children with SEN and disabilities. <a title="" href="http://3dcpri-papp09/new_parliamentaryquestion/HL3942-%20Storey/Draft/HL3942%20SpAds%20Amends%2009.01.15.docx#_ftn1"
target="_blank">[1]</a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>The AfA3As organisation is being
funded to make the highly successful Achievement for All (AfA) approach available
widely. It provides whole-school support to over 2000 schools to improve outcomes
for pupils with SEN and disabilities.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Around 11,000 new SEN
co-ordinators have been funded to undertake the Master's-level National Award for
SEN co-ordination. This will help to improve support for all children and young people
with SEN, including those with speech, language and communication needs.<br></p><p>
</p><p><a title="" href="http://3dcpri-papp09/new_parliamentaryquestion/HL3942-%20Storey/Draft/HL3942%20SpAds%20Amends%2009.01.15.docx#_ftnref1"
target="_blank">[1]</a> <a href="http://www.sendgateway.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.sendgateway.org.uk</a></p><p>
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