Imagine not being able to say how you feel or what you need. For young children, never having properly developed this ability often leads to low self-esteem and poor social skills, according to communication charity I CAN. Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) have a strong correlation with behavioural problems, mental health issues, poor employment or training prospects, and youth crime.
The Government seized the speech and language mantle in 2008 when MP John Bercow, whose eldest son has special educational needs, was asked to lead a review into provision for children and young people with SCLN.
His review found a ‘highly unsatisfactory’ picture of services. It said, ‘Access to information and services is often poor, services themselves are very mixed, continuity across the age range is lacking, effective joint working between the health and education services is rare and there is something of a postcode lottery across the country. Above all, local commissioners attach a low priority to the subject.’
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