Speech services review under way

A tenth of children are said to have a communication disorder

People's views are being sought for a major review of services for children who have difficulties with communication, speech and language.

Many children with problems that could hamper their educational achievement do not receive the help they need in time, say those working in the system.

The review, led by Tory MP John Bercow, will advise the government on how things in England can best be improved.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said good communication was vital for learning.

Speech, language and communication difficulties are the most common disabilities to occur in early childhood.

Some areas have very long waiting lists and children and families struggle without crucial support Kamini Gadhok Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists

Around 89,000 school-aged children in England have speech and language difficulties as their registered primary special educational need but many more have lesser difficulties.

Recent evidence suggests that more than half of children arrive at primary school without the speech and language skills they need to learn and make new friends.

And campaigners say that across the UK about one in 10 children, or 1.2 million, have a communication disorder - which equates to about three in every primary classroom.

But many are not getting a diagnosis, let alone the help they need to overcome the problems that they face, according to campaigners.

'Early intervention'

Mr Bercow, who leads the all-party parliamentary group on speech and language difficulties, said his review provided the opportunity to make a real difference.

"I have already started visiting speech, language and communication services but we need the active involvement and engagement with the people that matter most - children themselves, parents, schools, local authorities, speech and language therapists and professionals from across the NHS."

Mr Balls said it was critically important that young people with language disabilities got specialist intervention as early as possible so that they can play an active and fulfilled role in society.

He said the government had done a great deal to invest in language support but needed to do more.

"That means local authorities, schools and the NHS working even closer together.

"I look forward to the review presenting some hard, practical recommendations to improving the quality and provision of services."

'Barriers'

The chief executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Kamini Gadhok, said: "Some areas have very long waiting lists and children and families struggle without crucial support.

"If left untreated, speech, language and communication difficulties have a huge impact on the education achievement and the health of a child."

The college says many local authorities and health trusts often see speech and language services as being optional extras rather than as having a significant role in public health.

As such they are often first in the line for cuts when savings need to be made, a spokesman added.

The chief executive of the communication charity Ican, Virginia Beardshaw, said: "Speech and language services have fallen into the gap between health and education, leaving children and their families out in the cold."

And Linda Lascelles, her opposite number at the charity for children with language impairments, Afasic, said she hoped the review would identify any gaps in provision and the barriers faced by those affected.

The review's website has just been launched (link above right), with a formal list of questions for contributors.

A final report will be published in summer 2008.