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

Ends

Notes for editors:

The RCSLT also has extensive case studies (children and their parents) that illustrate many of the issues the report raises.

For more information contact RCSLT Communications Manager Steven Harulow, tel: 0207 378 3004

* The Bercow Review's full title is: Bercow review of services for children and young people (0-19) with speech, language and communication needs. Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson, MP, and Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Ed Balls, MP, commissioned the review in August 2007. John Bercow, MP, was asked to lead the review. John Bercow submitted an interim report in March 2008. This is the final report.

The review is available for download on the morning of Tuesday 8 July.

Evidence for the review was obtained in three ways:
  • A consultation questionnaire sent out in October 2007 received over 2,000 responses
  • A series of consultation groups involved parents, children and young people in locations across the country
  • Visits to children's centres, nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools throughout the country

The Bercow Review's Advisory Group members are:

  • Virginia Beardshaw, Chief Executive, I CAN
  • Trevor Daniels, Head of Special Educational Needs, South Gloucestershire Council
  • Kamini Gadhok, Chief Executive, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
  • Brian Lamb, Chair of the Special Educational Consortium and Executive Director of Communication, Royal National Institute for Deaf People
  • Linda Lascelles, Chief Executive, Afasic
  • Norbert Lieckfeldt, Chief executive, British Stammering Association
  • Michelle Morris, Head of Speech and Language Therapy, Salford Primary Care Trust and professional adviser on speech and language therapy to the DH
  • Alice Sluckin, Chair, Selective Mutism Information and research Association

Associate Members:

Dr Gillian Baird, Consultant Developmental Paediatrician and Honorary Professor in Neurodisability at Guy's Hospital, London
Dr Vicky Slonims, Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist and Honorary Lecturer at king's College, London

The RCSLT is the professional body for speech and language therapists in the UK and has over 13,000 members. It is responsible for setting, promoting and maintaining high standards in education, clinical practice and ethical conduct.

For more information contact Steven Harulow, email: steven.harulow@rcslt.org tel: 020 7378 3004