Improving provision for children with speech, language and communication difficulties: the role of the voluntary sector☆

Abstract 

One in 10 children has a speech, language and communication difficulty (SLCD). Despite the number of children affected, there is low awareness of these difficulties, limited understanding of their potential impact, and inadequate provision to meet these children's needs. As a result, many children struggle to communicate, learn and develop, and they experience frustration, failure and social exclusion. An integrated approach between health and education is needed to ensure early identification, assessment and appropriate intervention to enable these children to thrive and develop into independent young people. With the current government emphasis on ‘joined up’ thinking in children's services, this paper explores the role of the voluntary sector in improving services to children with SLCD. Using examples of the work of the charity, I CAN, it suggests that a cross-sector approach maximises expertise and resources to deliver improvements in policy and practice, service provision and support for parents and families.

Keywords:  Speech, Language and Communication difficulties, Children, Provision of care, Voluntary sector, Involvement, I CAN