Nationwide campaign focussing on children’s communication skills

In 2008 John Bercow published a review into services for children and young people (0-19) with speech language and communication needs (SLCN). This landmark review led to thousands of parents of children with SLCN reporting their sense of isolation and highlighted concerns around a lack of information on speech, language and communication. This resulted in the recommendations to appoint a Communication Champion and run a ‘national year’, which The Communication Trust has subsequently been appointed to deliver.

The 2011 campaign seeks to address these challenges and will look at routes to getting parents the information and support they need, when they need it. Over coming months the Trust will be working with parents, young people, partners and local staff to shape the campaign’s content and approaches.

The campaign will be launched at the end of 2010, in the meantime to receive regular updates on the progress of the campaign please sign up to our monthly e-newsletter by e-mailing ‘subscribe’ to enquiries@thecommunicationtrust.org.uk.

 

Current activity:

The Trust is continuing to plan for this exciting campaign. We are currently working on a title and branding that speaks to parents, young people, the children’s workforce and commissioners.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, the national year will shine a light on the fantastic work, resources and best practice that already exists. Where possible, this will be shared nationally to help commissioners, local authorities, primary care trusts and schools understand about effective commissioning and the value of investing in speech and language early. 

Alongside developing a website that will be a portal of information about the campaign, we will be making developments to the Talking Point website, www.talkingpoint.org.uk, ensuring it has the most comprehensive and easily accessible information for parents and professionals on speech, language and communication.

A themed calendar of activities and milestone events (both national and regional) is under development. We would be very interested to know what you have planned next year; events and conferences, working with parents, children and young people, and specifically if you are working with parents-to-be or new parents. Please send any information through to enquiries@thecommunicationtrust.org.uk.

 

Recent press activity:

Please click here to view the press release about the campaign.

SEN Magazine, May 2010 - National Year of Communication, information about the campaign and The Communication Trust

 

The Communication Trust Newsletters:

March 2010

May 2010

July 2010

 

Archive press activity:

Children & Young People Now

TreeHouse

Afasic

Nursery World