George Thornton Carr

We're curious to see what Suella Braverman and Reform have planned for their SEND working group.

Any party that is serious about its education policy must consider the 2 million children who are struggling to talk and understand words. >> speechandlanguage.org.uk/the-issue/

Thank you @thurrockjen.bsky.social for highlighting the importance of play for speech and language development!

Playing helps children learn and grow. It’s also one of the best ways to help them learn to communicate. 💡Find out more on our website >> https://bit.ly/45DPJS4

Specialist resourced speech and language provisions could make it possible for children with speech and language challenges to be included – and to learn – in their local mainstream school🌟

Our new guidance shows how you can set up and run these provisions in your area:
https://bit.ly/4jW75PS

Promotional image featuring a group of students in school uniforms, engaging in conversation while walking. A banner reads 'NEW Talk Transformation packages to help you improve speech and language outcomes in your community.'

When children struggle to talk and understand words, it affects their confidence, their families, and their future. Our bespoke Talk Transformation packages give you the power to change that and help every child find their voice.

Find out which package is right for you: https://bit.ly/4qPztoU

This roundtable was basically the last thing I did at work this year and it’s a real high to go out on. It has been an amazing year at Speech and Language UK. So much achieved, so much more do. Roll on 2026.

Councils given £3bn to create thousands more spaces for Send pupils The government is promising 50,000 more places for children with special educational needs in schools in England.

These new places will only help children struggling to talk and understand words if they come with speech and language therapists and specialist teachers.

Buildings don’t teach children, people do. And only people with the right training and skills can change children’s lives.

You may have seen our previous posts about the roundtable at the Houses of Parliament, where we presented the new economic report from @dcpcampaign.bsky.social and the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance.

What was discussed in the room? Here's a rundown👇
https://bit.ly/48Qyopq

Yesterday, we attended an incredible roundtable with @dcpcampaign.bsky.social and the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance to present our economic report to MPs and sector experts.

Thank you to @thurrockjen.bsky.social for hosting, and Abraz and Chantal for sharing their experiences.

We were thrilled to welcome Clare Burton, Regional Director at the DfE, to Meath School today🌟

Clare saw specialist teaching in action and talked to parents about their children’s progress. Thank you for recognising the specific needs of children with lifelong speech and language challenges!

Want to help shape the future of the SEND system? Now’s your chance. Share your views and experiences with government now to make a difference.

Together, we can press SEND on a future where every voice is heard. Fill out the Government’s survey now: bit.ly/4plnZt7

Can assisted dying be a free choice in a society that dehumanises disabled people? | Sorrel Kinton

Fears that assisted dying legislation could lead to pressure on disabled people aren't just a 'slippery slope', given the current lack of social safety net.

Really great to be able to publish this report the week of the budget. The OBR has forecast that the SEND system will be running a £6 billion deficit by 2028. This is £8 billion in savings right here. You're welcome HMT!

Sir Keir Starmer was recently on BBC Radio 3 discussing the importance of communication skills! We're keen to see this in action following the #CurriculumReview and new oracy framework.

Join us and tell the Government to press SEND on a future where every voice is heard.👇
https://bit.ly/3KJ2CSO

📢 We have BIG news. The curriculum review released today states that all schools should focus more on teaching talking, including children who communicate through sign language and other communication aids.

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This month's highlight: the launch of our Pre-phonics Boost in Parliament!

🙌 Massive thanks to @jessasatomp.bsky.social for hostingt, as well as Ministers @helenhayes.bsky.social, @davidbainesmp.bsky.social, @rupahuq.bsky.social and Sarah Russell for attending.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/47q9dtn

Great to join campaigners outside Parliament today calling for equal protection and an end to the physical punishment of children.

#MakeItClear

@rcpch.bsky.social @nspcc.bsky.social @barnardos.org.uk

Speech and Language UK stand featuring books, leaflets and a Talk Boost banner.

Coming to you live from the Tes SEND Show, stand f10!

We'll be here today and tomorrow with lots of products and programmes to showcase, including our wonderful Talk Boost series🐯✨ Do drop by and have a chat with our friendly team!

#TesSENDShow

We have the chance to unlock opportunity for millions more young people and change our society for the better.

Will you help change the broken SEND system by sharing our white paper with your MP? https://speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/transforming-send/

Imagine fighting an endless battle for support: long waiting lists, dismissiveness and mountains of paperwork... just to make sure your child gets the education they deserve.

Tiya's shared our white paper to her MP – will you? >> https://speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/transforming-send/

Charity launches "alternative" whitepaper to fix SEND system Charity Speech and Language UK has published its whitepaper in lieu of the delays to the government’s own Schools White Paper – delays which are damaging children’s education, mental health and future...

Over 800 people have already emailed our white paper to their MPs! Let's keep spreading the word – children with speech and language challenges can't be forgotten in SEND reform.

We've also had some great coverage of the white paper release👇
www.educationbusinessuk.net/news/2509202...

Thanks to the powerful voices at #FightforOrdinary rally yesterday, Developmental Language Disorder was mentioned in the afternoon SEND debate🙌🌟

We look forward to working with MPs @georgiagould.bsky.social and @victoria-collins.bsky.social to make sure every child’s voice is heard.

🚨 A big step forward for #EarlyYears! We're encouraged by the Govt’s recognition that language skills at age 5 are key to future success.

See what the Govt's Best Start in Life strategy means for children struggling to talk and understand words👇

Speech and Language UK response to the Government’s rollout of Best Start Family Hubs

We welcome the Government’s renewed focus on early years support through the national rollout of Best Start Family Hubs. Giving every child the best start in life is a vital mission — and must include support for the two million children with speech and language challenges.

⬇️
bit.ly/4kslm5x

News flash!🔔

Our CEO, @janeharrislondon.bsky.social, has just met with @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social discussing today’s #SpendingReview.

Children can’t thrive – in school or beyond – without #EarlyYears staff who are trained to support them.

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Spotted: @helenhayes.bsky.social repping Speech and Language UK! 💥

Thank you Helen for reiterating that what families need is reassurance and clarity from Government on SEND. It's the least they deserve given that they are already going through so much in the fight for support.

We're blown away by the number of people who have signed our petition for fairer schools!

🥊 But we still need your help to continue our campaigning and make the Government listen.

Donate today to help our demands reach Parliament. Can we count on you?
speechandlanguage.org.uk?form=donate

The rumoured cuts to EHCPs could put hundreds of thousands of children with speech and language challenges without a legal entitlement to support. It feels like stealing rights that even Thatcher respected from kids who don’t have a voice to complain!
speechandlanguage.org.uk/get-involved...

📣 2,638 have signed - thank you!
We’re calling for support, not sanctions, for children unfairly punished for struggling with talking and understanding words.

Every name shows the Government MUST act.

✍️ Sign our petition today: speechandlanguage.org.uk/the-issue/si...

#SupportNotSanctions

Fantastic piece about the enormous rise in speech and language challenges and what to do about it. More solutions at: speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-an...

Lockdown linked to soaring speech problems - one in five kids affected New research today reveals two million children across the UK now face speech and language challenges - a shocking 35 per cent increase since 2019, when the number stood at 1.5 million.

2 MILLION children in the UK are struggling with talking and understanding words – a shocking 35% increase in the since 2019.

Thousands of these children are being unfairly punished at school because of their speech and language challenges💔

Learn more👇
www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2050...