Practitioners play a vital role in the early identification and support of children with SLCN. Our new course, ‘Identifying Speech, Language and Communication Needs’, is specifically designed to equip those working in primary schools and early years settings with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify these needs. Through a series of online sessions, participants will explore the core areas of speech, language, and communication development, providing practical strategies to identify and assess SLCN in children. This course is an essential resource for those looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children with communication difficulties.

Early Identification Skills
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the key indicators of speech, language, and communication needs, enabling earlier and more accurate identification of children requiring support and better outcomes overall.

Assessment Techniques
The course will increase awareness of the range of assessments that are available but will also provide Elklan's own free practical tools and techniques for assessing SLCN.

Confidence in Supporting Children with SLCN
By improving their knowledge of assessments, practitioners will feel more confident in supporting the specific needs of individual children.

Professional Development and Collaboration
Participants will not only enhance their own professional skills but will also be better equipped to work with Speech and Language Therapists and other specialists, ensuring a more holistic approach to supporting children with SLCN.

This course is an invaluable resource for anyone committed to the early identification of children's the speech, language and communication needs. Early and accurate identification of needs is the first step to helping a child to reach their full potential.

1. An introduction to the identification of speech, language and communication needs

2. Understanding spoken language

3. Expressive language

4. Speech sounds and phonological awareness

5. Social communication

For the Online Training package, the course is delivered online through 5 e-learning sessions and live tutorial webinars with useful resources provided to assist participants support children learning an additional language.

Online Training - Weekly Webinars

Online Training - Fortnightly Webinars

Elklan offers a wide range of courses to train those in a child’s network to support children’s speech, language and communication skills.

Speech and Language Support courses are accredited at levels 2 and 3 and give participants extensive knowledge and strategies to support language within a classroom.

Communication Friendly Settings programmes build on Speech and Language Support courses by facilitating the cascade of Elklan strategies throughout schools and settings so every member of your team has a good foundation in developing communication through this whole setting accredited award.

Elklan trains parents and carers to develop children’s communication at home through our Let’s Talk courses, ensuring the same methods are deployed outside of school to greatly benefit the social and educational development of their children

Discover a range of specialised courses developed by Elklan such as Supporting Social, Emotional and Mental Health of Children and Young People to equip your staff with the skills necessary to support children with additional requirements and specialised needs.

Elklan is also proud to introduce the new Higher Level Communication Practitioner Award. This national award is for teaching assistants and early years practitioners in early years, primary, secondary, and special settings. The award recognises your role in your setting with specific responsibility for supporting children and young people with SLCN.