In December 2017, the Department for Education (DfE) launched Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential: a plan for improving social mobility through education. A major ambition in the plan is to close the word gap in the early years. The need to tackle developmental gaps at the earliest opportunity, particularly focussing on the early language and literacy skills, is currently sharply in focus. So ….. how did Soundswell ‘s Jo get involved? Here is her story.
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Soundswell have been recommending the Wellcomm Toolkit for a number of years. During this time we have developed more in-depth ways of gathering information to identify which children could be more successfully grouped together. We also encourage schools and settings to look at different ways data can measure impact. Here is a very ‘good news’ story from Court Farm Primary in Erdington.
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The value of early language screening at a universal level cannot be over-estimated. Proactive, quality Early Years settings routinely screen their new intakes, (Wellcomm by gl-assessment is the language screening tool of choice in many settings), and put in place appropriate interventions. But … it’s becoming more evident, particularly with the arrival of 2 year-olds, that some children are just not ready to be either reliably screened or to benefit from an intervention group. Who are these children and what can we do to help?
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Did you visit the BNSTSA annual conference on 14/9/18 ? We were there - Jo was in the marketplace talking to delegates, and Emily presented a really popular workshop called :- " SLCN in the Early Years, what to look for and how to help ". If you'd like copes of the slides from that presentation you can find them in the full article below
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Improving early language skills, identifying and sharing best practice is a central part of the Early Years Social Mobility Peer Review Programme (DfE). Entitled ‘Unlocking Talent, Fulfilling Potential’ one of the core ambitions of the programme is to close the ‘word gap’ in the Early Years
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What is the Word Gap? Who is disadvantaged and why? What are the plans for positive change? December 2017 saw the publication of a national plan to improve social mobility through education, by removing ‘potential obstacles’ – in this case improving the less favourable outcomes for disadvantaged children who have poor language skills.
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Are you working to support children with SLCN? Soundswell are the first independent SaLT service to be licensed to deliver the nationally renowned and highly effective Language for Learning Training which was developed to provide a collaborative approach to supporting all those working with children who have speech, language and communications needs (SLCN). Language for Learning courses and resources empower teaching staff and parents to support children in accessing meaningful language learning experiences across the school day. For details of our current courses read on....
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Have you struggled hard to justify spending money on speech and language therapy this time round? Have you had to stand your corner with the senior leadership team and/or Governing Body? Here is the proof that the fight was worth it. For the first time, robust research shows the benefits to schools of purchasing input – in addition to what is available from the NHS.
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I worked for the NHS as a speech and language therapist ( SaLT) for 24 years before starting my own practice providing services to schools and families. In a very short space of time I was fully booked and that's when I called my trusted colleague Diana- and Soundswell was born!!
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Mary Hartshorne, I CAN’s Head of Evidence shares her thoughts on the report Bercow: Ten Years On and the next steps for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs
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If you are thinking of Speech & Language Therapy as a career, read Sophie's advice about how to get started
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Schools find themselves under more and more pressure as the implications of shrinking budgets become a stark reality. As an independent provider of speech and language therapy, we are one of a number of bought in services. From Spring 2 we are usually talking to our schools, reviewing their successes and inviting discussions about plans for the coming academic year. This year, first and foremost, considerations have been about money. Can we continue as we are …..? What can we do with less funding available…? Can we afford any service at all …….?
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On May 16th Edgbaston cricket club provided the venue for the above conference. The event was well-attended – more than 300 people made the most of the day and what it had to offer. Organised by ONECPD at Salford University, the conference programme offered a broad mix of formal keynote speakers, seminars and an exhibition. Soundswell were proud to both take part in the exhibition but also deliver a seminar to upwards of 60 people
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A big thank you to everyone who came to our seminar at the SEND and Disability Conference in Edgbaston today- sorry some of you had to sit on the floor. Who knew our presentation would be so popular!! You can view the presentation here
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Soundswell have been working hard to review and update all of our polices and procedures in line with the new GDPR legislation.
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Nicki tell us her top tip for parents:- It’s really worrying for parents when their children aren’t saying as much as they think they should and there can be a tendency for adults to talk more, ask more questions, fill the silences as a well-meaning method of helping. I would say, relax (if you can), stand back and watch your child to see what they enjoy playing with, looking at, are interested in. You can then add in words/ short phrases to label what the child is holding/ playing with and comment on what they are doing. Allow lots of pauses and count to 10 to allow your child to time to respond.
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In the second of our 'meet the team' articles, Emily describes how she started her career and what are her biggest challenges.
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Denise Charnock has worked with Soundswell for about 2 years now, read on to find out what advice she would give to worried parents and anyone considering speech & language therapy as a career
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