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<p>The government is committed to ensuring that children and young people with speech,
language and communication needs (SLCN) get the support they need to lead safe, fulfilling
lives and to reach their potential.</p><p>The Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
Code of Practice makes clear that local authorities, clinical commissioning groups
and relevant others are responsible for commissioning specialist support locally using
their high needs funding budgets. This includes support for SLCN. We have given an
additional £250 million to high needs funding across 2018-19 and 2019-20 to help them
fulfil these duties, on top of the £6 billion already provided for the high needs
budget. Local authorities are required to develop and publish their local SEND offer
based on an analysis of local need and we expect details of services for SLCN, including
how they can be accessed, to be included.</p><p> </p><p>My right hon. Friend, the
Secretary of State for Education has set out his ambition to halve the 28% of children
who finish their reception year without the early communication and reading skills
they need to thrive by 2028. The Department for Education is working with the Department
of Health and Social Care and Public Health England to support health visitors and
early years practitioners to identify and support children’s early SLCN. We are investing
£26 million to set up a network of English hubs, £20 million to provide professional
development for early years practitioners, and £7.5 million to understand what works
in partnership with the Education Endowment Foundation. We are investing £6.5 million
in voluntary and charity sector grants supporting the home learning environment.</p><p>
</p><p>Where children are at risk of harm, it is particularly important that they
are supported to communicate their needs. The statutory guidance 'Working together
to safeguard children' (2018) is clear that special provision should be put in place
to support dialogue with children who have communication difficulties. This child-centred
approach is supported by the Children Act (1989) and emphasised further in the interim
findings of the children in need review.</p>
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