8 July 2008

Children must be seen and heard

Children with speech, language and communication difficulties and their families will only see real benefits if Government supports the implementation of the Bercow Review* recommendations released today, according to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

The Bercow Review report, the result of an independent cross-government review chaired by John Bercow MP, highlights that the needs of these children are not being met because of weak planning and poor coordination of services across health, social care and education.

The report also identifies that the children's workforce is not trained to ensure early identification of speech, language and communication difficulties or to deliver prompt intervention to deal with them. Crucially, the report says there is a lack of specialists, particularly of speech and language therapists, who are essential in providing expert support to parents and teachers.

RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok says parents expect early access to services that will provide tangible and sustained opportunities for their children with speech, language and communication needs.

"I feel privileged to have been involved with this review and am delighted that the Government is paying attention to children with speech, language and communication needs.

"The Bercow Report demonstrates that, although there are services for children with speech, language and communication needs, not all families in all areas have access to the same quality or range of services.

"It is every child's basic human right to be able to communicate. Unless children develop effective communication skills, many will not achieve their best at school, will struggle to make friends and find employment, and will be at serious risk of developing offending behaviour.

"Speech, language and communication needs are not well understood and parents should not have to fight the same battles year-in, year-out to get support for their children from health, education and social services.

"If Government supports the implementation of the recommendations in this report, tens of thousands of children in England and their families stand to benefit."

Key facts on the number of children in England with speech, language and communication needs

• Half of children in some socio-economically disadvantaged populations have speech and language skills that are significantly lower than those of other children of the same age
• Nearly 40,000 children (approximately 7% of five year olds) entering school in 2007 in England had significant difficulties with speech and/or language
• More than 5,500 children (approximately 1% of five year olds) entering school in 2007 in England had severe and complex speech, language and communication needs
• An estimated 60% of the 7,000 children and young people aged under 18 who pass through young offender institutions have difficulties with speech, language and communication

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