Supporting Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

In Solihull, we are committed to ensuring all children with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) receive the right support at the right time.

The Solihull Specialist Inclusion Support Service (SISS) SLC High Needs Team works closely with schools, families, and professionals to help promote communication development across three levels of support detailed in Solihull’s graduated approach.

Universal support - for all children

Schools create communication-friendly classrooms and ensure all staff receive training to recognise and support SLCN.  Schools can purchased through the Communication and Learning difficulties traded service (CLD Team). 

Strategies include:

  • Whole-school approaches and early identification tools
  • Language-rich environments and multisensory learning
  • Partnership with families and professionals

Targeted support - for some children

For children needing more than universal strategies, schools may offer:

High needs support - for few children

The Speech Language and Communication High Needs Team are a team of experienced educational practitioners who support pupils with speech and/or language high needs who require specialist intervention. 

High Needs Support includes:

  • Observations, assessments, and tailored communication targets
  • Direct intervention blocks from SLC HN Inclusion Support Practitioners
  • Direct support for the child, advice for families and school staff
  • Ongoing support at key transition points
  • Advice for children with a Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) where speech, language and communication is an area of need.

Schools and Speech and Language Therapists can refer by using the High Needs Triage Document

To make a referral to the SLCD team for High Needs Support, schools should complete the High Needs Triage Form and submit it with supporting evidence, including the School’s Graduated Approach and the child or young person’s response to support at the universal and targeted level. This helps ensure referrals are timely, appropriate, and aligned with Solihull’s graduated approach processes.

Bishop Wilson Church of England School - Speech, language and communication high needs additionally resourced provision (ARP)

Bishop Wilson ARP is for children with a significant or severe SLCN as their primary area of need.  The provision is directly managed by Solihull Local Authority and is staffed and resourced by the Specialist Inclusion Support Service.  It is for pupils with Speech, Language and Communication High Needs, who, with additional SLCN support, can succeed in a mainstream environment.  There is capacity for up to 12 pupils from Key Stages 1 and 2.

The provision offers:

  • Access to intensive specialist support and small teaching groups for core subjects within the ARP.
  • Access to evidence-based interventions, following a rigorous process of assessment and target setting. Targets are reviewed regularly.
  • Access to weekly SLC intervention.
  • Access to the wider curriculum independently, with reasonable adaptations, in mainstream classrooms.
  • Mainstream school staff who have received training in SLCN and can access consultation and advice from ARP staff to support them in making adaptations.
  • Access to Inclusion Support Practitioner support in some lessons, in order to transfer strategies taught in the ARP.
  • Enhanced communication with parents/carers and access to training and workshops to develop support at home.

The placing authority is Solihull MBC.  The child will have a significant or severe speech and/or language need that has a significant impact upon their learning and well-being.  The children will have had involvement from professionals that may include SALT, SLCD Outreach team and the CLD team.  The child will not always require an Education, Health and Care Plan but will have SLC HN identified as their primary need.

For more information email: sissservice@solihull.gov.uk

Documents

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