Following a review of services for children with language problems by John Bercow, the Conservative MP, which was published in July 2007 a £12 million government action plan will see pilot initiatives set up in 20 local areas in England as well as grants given to the communication sector.
A £1.5 million research project will examine speech and language needs.
In addition the government will also appoint a “communication council” and “communication champion” in 2009 to oversee the delivery of the initiatives.
The Bercow report found that services for children with language problems was “highly unsatisfactory”
COMMENTS
Ed Balls (Children’s Secretary) thanked Mr Bercow for highlighting the importance of speech, language and communication. He added that the action plan was welcome recognition by the government that communication must be given a much higher priority in the development of children’s services. “For far too long, speech, language and communication have been elbowed aside by policy makers in favour of other aspects of the child development agenda.”
Virginia Beardshaw (Chief Executive of the children’s communication charity I CAN) welcomed the groundbreaking plan. “For far too long communication skills have been discussed as 2soft skills” – there is nothing “soft” about the fact that children’s life chances depend on their ability to communicate”
Schools and local authorities alike are concerned about attainment, anti-social behaviour children, offending and social exclusion. Problems with speech, language and communication are at the core of many of these issues.”
Kamini Gadhok (CEO of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists) welcomed the government’s commitment to make a difference to the lives of children with speech, language and communication needs. “I never thought I’d see this in my lifetime,” she said.
For more information and to read further comments use the link below:
BBC News Website; 17 December 2008
Jane Gregory
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
January 2009
