October 2007

I recently made a timely visit to Langley School to see at first hand how a new scheme to screen children with language difficulties is working. The problem of speech and language skills is a real one. Around 5-8% of children of pre-school age suffer, the figure rises to 10% for children of school age. For 1 in 500 children the impairment is severe. I recall that as a parent I wanted to know that help was there if it was needed. As an MP I want to know that it's there for every child.

North Tyneside PCT Speech and Language Therapy Department has developed an innovative "screener" to identify which children need support.  The "toolkit" is paid for by Sure Start using Excellence in Cities funding.  The project working party has brought together Speech and Language Therapists, Early Years Teaching Consultants, Early Years Inclusion Consultants and the Language and Communication Team.  I believe it puts North Tyneside well ahead of other areas.
 

All 3 and 4 year olds will be screened to assess their language skills and needs. "Screening" sounds very formal - actually it is achieved mainly through play and story telling.  It is delivered by therapists and teachers.  Langley's superb Head teacher Judy Williams had the foresight to encourage some of her staff to train in speech and language therapy.  The teachers I spoke to said the kit is one of the most important tools they have. 

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, recently asked the Conservative MP for Buckingham John Bercow to lead a review of services for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs.  John's personal interest is well known - and his appointment is a good example of trying to use all the talents available in what ought to be a cross-party approach on issues like this.  I'll be raising North Tyneside's work with John Bercow and I will be encouraging him to roll out the project to every school.

If you want to find out more about the review you can visit the Review Website at http.//www.dcsf.gov.uk/bercowreview/index/shtml or e-mail your views to Bercow.Review@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk.
Let's make sure no child gets left behind; that all the talents of our young people are recognised and encouraged - not held back by communication difficulties which can be both identified and overcome.