A new pilot service, designed to help support speech and language needs, is now available to children aged two-and-a-half to seven years old at nine participating nurseries and primary schools across Bradford District.
Co-funded by the Department for Education and NHS England, the Early Language Support for Every Child programme is being tested across nine regions nationwide and will initially run for one year. Each region will receive approximately £1m and the learnings from the project will inform future policies and service development related to speech, language and communication needs.
Locally, the programme is being delivered by Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership with Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust as the lead organisation. This will help improve early identification and support for children with speech and language communication needs, reduce rates of specialist referral, increase workforce capacity, improve quality of data and evidence, and improve join up between health and education.
Minister for School Standards, Catherine McKinnell said: “This government is putting education back at the heart of national life, mission-driven to break down the barriers to opportunity for every child, at every stage. Developing early communication skills will play a crucial role in this mission.
“For too long, children with additional needs have been let down by a system that is not working. We are determined to fix the broken system with much earlier and quicker support to prevent concerns from escalating.
“This programme that will make a massive difference to children in Bradford by supporting them with speech and language communication needs early on.”
According to NHS England, more than one in two children on school entry have difficulties with their speech and language, but with timely support they are likely to catch up. Getting children help for their speech and language needs early helps them manage their emotions and communicate their feelings, make friends and maintain relationships, and learn to read and write.
Nichola Rogers, speech and language therapy clinical lead at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, added: “There is a growing demand for speech and language services for young children and this vital new pilot service will help families who are seeking early intervention options for their children. By addressing speech and language challenges early, we can have a lasting impact on a child’s communication abilities, social development, and future academic success.”
Within Bradford District and Craven, a total of nine nurseries and primary schools expressed interest to take part in the programme and a team of speech and language therapists will support each setting and carry out screening tests to ascertain what type of support, if any, children may need.
Participating nurseries: Moorside Nursery, Thornbury Play and Learn Nursery, Short Circuits Care Club, Woodroyd Nursery, Cavendish Lodge Day Nursery
Participating primary schools: Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy, Brackenhill Primary School, Miriam Lord Primary School, Bowling Park Primary School