Speech, language, and communication toolkit for school aged children (for school staff)

Why this toolkit?

Good communication skills are key to a child’s learning, friendships, and emotional well-being. Many children struggle with speech, language, and communication needs, but 53% of teachers feel they don’t have enough training to support them.

This toolkit will help school staff:

• Recognise the signs of SLCN and understand different levels of support.
• Use practical strategies in the classroom to help all children communicate effectively.
• Know when to refer a child for specialist support.

Who is this for?

SENCos – Leading SLCN support in schools.

Teachers & Support Staff – Helping children develop strong communication skills in everyday learning.

Mainstream Schools – Supporting pupils at all levels of need.

How does support work?

This toolkit follows the Balanced System Model, which helps schools support children at three levels:

• Universal Level – Good communication strategies that help all children
• Targeted Level – Extra support for children who need more help with language and communication
• Specialist Level – Support from a Speech and Language Therapist for children with more significant needs

Key points to remember:

• Many children with SLCN can be supported in school without specialist help
• Universal strategies should be in place for all children, even those getting targeted or specialist support
• Early identification is crucial—spotting SLCN early helps children succeed

Why speech, language, and communication matter

Learning

Children need good communication skills to:

• Follow instructions
• Join in classroom discussions
• Build reading, writing, and maths skills

But:

• Only 75% of children with SLCN reach expected English levels at the end of primary school, compared to 96% of their peers
• Only 20% of pupils with SLCN achieve a Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths at GCSE, compared to 64% of all pupils

Social & Emotional Well-being

Strong language skills help children:

• Make friends
• Express emotions
• Understand others

Did you know?

• 81% of children with emotional and behavioural difficulties have unidentified SLCN
• 60% of young offenders have low language skills
• Children with poor vocabulary at age 5 are three times more likely to have mental health problems in adulthood

How can schools embed SLCN support?

To make speech, language, and communication a priority in school:

• Leadership Matters – Senior leaders should include SLCN in school policies
• Staff Training is Key – 53% of teachers say they need more training to support pupils with speech and language needs
• Create a Talk-Rich Environment – Encourage classroom discussion and ensure all children have opportunities to develop their communication skills
• Spot the Signs Early – Many children with SLCN are misidentified as having behavioural issues or learning difficulties. Recognising the signs early leads to better support

Resources and further support

This toolkit gives you the knowledge, strategies, and tools to support speech, language, and communication at all levels. To help you put strategies into practice, we have in-depth guidance on identifying and supporting SLCN, available to download below:

Toolkits:

• Universal support
• Targeted support