Thursday 20 March 2008

SPEECH THERAPISTS WELCOME THE INTERIM REPORT OF THE BERCOW REVIEW INTO SPEECH, LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION NEEDS

PRESS RELEASE: EMBARGOED UNTIL 10 AM

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCLST) today welcomes the interim report of the Government's review into the provision of services to children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCNs), known as the Bercow Review.

One in 10 children - an estimated 1.2 million across the UK - has a communication disability. Recent evidence suggests that in some parts of the UK more than half of children arrive at primary school without the speech and language skills they need to learn and make friends.

RCSLT particularly praises the involvement of John Bercow MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group into Speech and Language Difficulties and Chair of the Review, who has led the review with great passion and keen understanding of the importance of this key life skill for children.

RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok said "We are pleased with the thoroughness of the review and have been glad to be involved in the process. The overwhelming response from parents and users to the call for evidence demonstrates the impact which communication needs have on a child - and how important good support can be.

"Over the coming months we hope to work with John Bercow and the Government to help develop concrete solutions to meet children's speech, language and communication needs in the future."

In particular the RCSLT would like to see:

  • an awareness raising campaign around SLCNs to raise the profile of these hidden but life-changing needs - among those working with children, families and the general public - supported by much-needed research into the best interventions for children
  • strengthening of joint commissioning arrangements, such as Children's Trusts
  • work to develop the pathways to support the child and family, especially in the early years and through early intervention
  • work to resolve the postcode lottery and waiting lists for services, to audit local provision and ensure the right treatment and support is available in a timely way
  • that the excellent work of the Review will be carried into the future by making a minister responsible for the delivery of services for children with SLCNs

Ends

Notes for editors:

On 3 September 2007, the Prime Minister announced that John Bercow MP would lead a Government review into services for children and young people with SLCN. John Bercow MP is the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Speech and Language Difficulties and a vice-president of Afasic, a charity for children with SLCNs. This interim report follows a call for evidence, national visits to a variety of services and focus groups of parents and children. Following the forthcoming consultation, a final report with recommendations is due in July 2008.

The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists 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, and improving services for people with communication needs.

The APPG on Speech and Language Difficulties is a cross party group of parliamentarians which aims to raise the profile of communication needs and lobby to improve services to those who need speech and language therapy.

The RCSLT will be consulting with its members throughout the consultation period, including at a conference on the interim Bercow report to be held in central London on April 28th 2008. The conference, Children's Services in England: Your chance to make a difference, will be opened by Secretary of State for Children Ed Balls and be attended by the main advisors to the review.

To view the interim report visit the DCFS website.

RCSLT Policy Officer Sarah Keegan, tel: 0207 378 3003

RCSLT CEO Kamini Gadhok, tel: 07802 184 420 (Thurs 20th and from Tues 25th only)

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