News

Speech, language and communication needs going unmet

Inclusion
Thousands of children are growing up with unmet speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), including many from our poorest families.

A report from the Communication Trust is warning that up to 50 per cent of children who start school in the most disadvantaged areas will have SLCN.

Meanwhile, 75 per cent of children who experience poverty persistently throughout their early years are below average in language development.

And overall, 7.6 per cent of children in early primary will have developmental language disorders – despite this only 2.6 per cent are identified by the SEND system.

And there are clear knock-on effects into secondary education. The report – entitled Talking About a Generation – highlights one study in a disadvantaged area of Manchester showing that 50 per cent of 13-year-olds had language difficulties severe enough to meet criteria for SEN Statements.

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