Children with language disorders are not getting the support they need

Research from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists shows that children and young people with language disorders are not getting the support they need.

Almost half (45 per cent) of speech and language therapists surveyed by the RCSLT said that they lack the time and resources to provide services to children and young people with communication problems who do not have an education, health and care (EHC) plan. This legal document describes a child or young person’s special educational, health and social care needs and how local agencies must support them.

RCSLT CEO, Kamini Gadhok, says: “This is alarming, as we already know from the Department for Education that 86% of children and young people (almost nine out of ten) who have communication problems as their primary need do not have an EHC plan.

“Our members have sent a clear message that due to local budget cuts and changes to commissioning priorities these vulnerable children and young people are at risk of not getting the support they need. Research has shown that vocabulary difficulties at a young age are associated with poor literacy, mental health, and employment outcomes in later life. Early speech and language support is vital to children’s success and action must be taken.”

The RCSLT survey also revealed gaps in joint commissioning arrangements for children and young people aged 0-2 and 18-25, with 43% of respondents commenting that speech and language therapy support was not being commissioned for these groups.

The RCSLT urges the government to address this issue with local authorities and clinical commissioning groups before full implementation of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) reforms in March 2018.

Kim Johnson, president of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) says: “Speech and language therapists play a crucial role in the education system. This year we look forward to working with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to develop advice and information for schools on how they can support children with SLCN, and buy in speech and language therapy services directly. This is another practical way NAHT can help deliver for children when central and local support is withdrawn.”