How We Can Help
ISLTS offers comprehensive Speech & Language Therapy Training & Support to Schools and Nurseries across East Anglia.
Our comprehensive service includes:
- Screening
- Assessment including our specialist Autism and DLD assessment & diagnosis service.
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Parental meetings
- In-service training for school and nursery staff
- Attendance at meetings
- Detailed reports on individual students as indicated
We are incredibly proud of our many long and effective educational partnerships. Headteacher of St. Peter & St. Paul Carbrooke Church of England Primary Academy recently shared with us this testimonial;
“Since working with the ISLT team we have successfully improved the speaking, language and communication needs of multiple children. Our link worker Becca has a regular weekly slot and works well with the staff team including those providing the interim support with the child, as well as the parent if required, and she also liaises with the NHS providers.”
Why Supporting Your Education Staff is Essential
Speech, language, and communication needs (SLCN) are the most common special educational need in children. Research suggests that in an average classroom;
- 7–10% of children will have some form of SLCN (www.speechandlanguage.org.uk)
- This rises to 50% or more for children in areas of social disadvantage (www.rcslt.org)
These difficulties can affect a child’s ability to understand instructions, express their thoughts, develop friendships, and access the curriculum. Teachers and early years staff play a crucial role in identifying and supporting children with SLCN, but many report feeling underprepared to meet these needs. Providing staff with the right knowledge, skills, and strategies helps ensure that all children can reach their full potential.
Helen Winnington, SENDCO at Hunstanton Primary School said;
“Online training has been great. The school TA and pupil have benefited from this greatly. We’ve seen improvement in speech and language for the pupil and greater understanding from staff of what is needed to support the pupil to progress!”
Training for Education Staff
We offer a range of training opportunities to help school and nursery staff support children with SLCN effectively. This includes:
-
Awareness Training for All Staff
This training is designed for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, and early years practitioners to develop a strong understanding of:
- The different types of speech, language, and communication difficulties.
- How SLCN impacts learning, social development, and behaviour.
- Practical classroom strategies to support children with SLCN.
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Specialist Training on Specific Communication Needs
For staff wanting a deeper understanding, we provide tailored training on a range of topics, including:
- Diagnosis, Assessment and support for children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).
- Communication strategies for autistic children.
- Helping children with speech sound disorders.
- Strategies for children with Selective Mutism.
- Supporting non-verbal and minimally verbal children.
- Supporting children who use Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.
- Bespoke training specific to your school or nurseries needs.
Fakenham Academy Case Study:
We have been working with Fakenham Academy for a couple of years and the positive feedback has been overwhelming.
- Students – have shown remarkable progress in their ability to communicate effectively, engage in class discussions, and build confidence.
- Staff – have greatly benefitted, receiving valuable training and resources to better support students in their classrooms.
The ISLTS collaborative approach has not only improved the overall educational experience for students but it has also fostered a positive and supportive atmosphere among the staff. Romala Gill SendCo lead describes our work;
“The speech and language professionals are incredibly knowledgeable and skilled, consistently tailoring their approach to meet the individual needs of each student. Whether it’s supporting students with speech delays, language processing difficulties, or social communication challenges, the services offered have been invaluable in helping students build essential skills to succeed in the classroom and beyond.
Overall, the speech and language services have been a game-changer, enhancing both academic and social outcomes for students while empowering the staff to support every child’s unique needs. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and professionalism of the speech and language therapist and look forward to continuing to work together to provide the best possible learning environment for our students.”
Direct Support for Children
We provide therapy interventions at three levels:
- Universal: Supporting whole-school/nursery approaches to communication-friendly environments.
- Targeted: Small group interventions to develop speech, language, and communication skills.
- Specialist: Individual therapy for children with more complex communication needs.
Interventions may include:
- Direct therapy sessions (individual or group).
- Support with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
- Advice and strategies for classroom staff to implement between therapy sessions.
Nicola Buttolph Primary School Send Assistant, shares her review of one of our specialist Speech & Language Therapists – Becca Gardner;
“Becca is kind, helpful and has such a passion for the children she works with. The children are supported and know exactly what they are working towards. Becca responds quickly to any queries that I may have and always suggests other ideas if children find things difficult.”
Skills and Environment Audits
To ensure the most effective support, we can conduct a Skills and Environment Audit within your school or nursery. This allows us to:
- Identify existing strengths in supporting SLCN.
- Highlight areas for development.
- Provide clear recommendations on where our support would be most beneficial.
By working collaboratively with education staff, we can help create communication-friendly learning environments where all children can thrive.
Get in Touch for more
If you’re looking for Speech and Language Therapy support and training in your schools or nursery, contact us to discuss how we can tailor our services to your setting.
