Bercow: Ten Years On

1 March 2018. bercow : Ten Years On An independent review of provision for children and young people with speech, language and communication needs in England. 2 bercow : TEN Years ON FOREWORD. Contents Foreword 3 Foreword 4 Introduction 6 The children and young people Chairing the Review of Services for Children reforms in a generation for children and young people with special and Young People (0 19) with Speech, Language educational needs in 2014. 8 Background and Communication Needs (SLCN) 10 Years ago It is in the context of these was the most stimulating project of my changes that I was delighted 10 Communication is crucial parliamentary career up to that point. to learn of the intention of I CAN, the children's communication charity, in partnership with the 15 A strategy for system change Given the vital importance of In the Years following the Royal College of Speech and communication to a child's life report's publication, a number chances, the chance to make a of our recommendations were Language Therapists (RCSLT), 19 An accessible and equitable service for all families difference was a privilege I was implemented, including: to undertake an independent honoured to accept.

2 Review of provision for children the creation of the and young people with SLCN. 24 Support that makes an impact During the review we identified Communication Council; in 2018. five key themes issues that the post of Communication 30 Early identification and intervention are essential needed to be addressed for Champion, which was filled The 10th anniversary of the real change and improvement by Jean Gross CBE; original report provides an ideal to happen: opportunity to look again at a National year of Speech, 38 Conclusion Language and Communication provision for children and young Communication is crucial people with communication in 2011; and Early identification and difficulties, and ensure their needs 40 Recommendations in full intervention are essential the Better Communication are placed at the heart of local and Research Programme, A continuum of services national policy, where they belong.

3 46 References a programme of research to designed around the family enhance the evidence base It is my hope that this report will H O W TO R E A D T H I S R E P O RT is needed and inform delivery of better act as a call to action to all those Joint working is critical outcomes for children and A summary of recommendations are involved in supporting children included at the end of each chapter. The current system is young people with SLCN. and young people, to come characterised by high together and do what is needed Recommendations in full can be variability and a lack of equity There have also been many to make a difference to the lives found at the end of the report. important developments since The final report which we of those for whom communication the publication of the report that The bercow : Ten Years On website published in 2008, focused on is more difficult. have significantly impacted on contains further calls to action practical proposals to improve services for children and young RT HON.

4 JOHN bercow MP. and practical steps that everyone services, together with measures people with SLCN, such as changes can take. which sought to embed speech, within the commissioning and The full report can be downloaded language and communication provider landscape, and the from in wider policy frameworks for Children and Families Act, which the future. ushered in the biggest education 4 bercow : TEN Years ON INTRODUCTION. Time for change What this report shows prioritised. This is the case in decisions Introduction about planning, commissioning and A lot has changed in the 10 Years Speech, language and communication funding services, and there is often no since The bercow Review of are critical to children and young joined-up approach across education Services for Children and Young people's development, but a lack and health. So, service models are People with Speech, Language of awareness and priority has led to far less effective and the workforce and Communication Needs in 2008.

5 National and local strategies that do is not sufficiently equipped to have Some of this change has been for not have the speech and language of the necessary positive impact on the better, but sadly far from all of it. children and young people at their children and young people. Their heart. Nor do they recognise the needs are too frequently unidentified The most fundamental life skill for children is Without a shift in approach, children numbers of children and young people and unsupported. the ability to communicate. It directly impacts and young people will continue to with SLCN. There is a lack of clear leave school without basic language But it can be different, and we will show on their ability to learn, to develop friendships and literacy skills. We will continue leadership and limited understanding of the need to work across and between outstanding examples of what can be and on their life chances.

6 As a nation, we have having disproportionate numbers achieved, as well as recommendations the health and education systems. yet to grasp the significance of this and as of young people with SLCN who are which seek to secure this good practice a result, hundreds of thousands of children not in education, employment or As a result, the SLCN of children for all. training, who need mental health and young people are not sufficiently and their families are suffering needlessly. support or who are in contact within This report aims to help change this situation. the youth justice system. Children and young people with lifelong More than million children and young communication needs will not get the support and adjustments they Key changes since 2008. people in the UK have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). Language require. As a result, children and POSITIVE. young people with the potential disorder alone is one of the most common More evidence about to do well will struggle to make SLCN through the disorders of childhood,1 affecting nearly 10%2 an active contribution to society Better Communication of children and young people everywhere as adults.

7 Research Programme. throughout their lives. In areas of social We cannot afford, socially or THE CHANGING. Consistent government economically, to continue with LANDSCAPE. disadvantage this number can rise to 50%3,4 funding for workforce the status quo. development in SLCN. Reforms and of all children and young people, including reorganisation NEGATIVE. those with delayed language as well as national service A. of the NHS. Austerity and resulting specification for children with identified SLCN. Alternative and Academies and free cuts to services. Augmentative schools increased Loss of senior and Poor understanding of and insufficient Communication (AAC). autonomy for schools. specialist speech and resourcing for SLCN mean too many children I ncreased recognition eforms to support for R language therapy posts. and young people receive inadequate, of SLCN in the children with special Removal of speaking justice system.

8 Education needs and and listening from the ineffective and inequitable support, impacting MORE THAN. disabilities (SEND). National Curriculum. Language and on their educational outcomes, their communication as one Significant changes in Removal of a judgement employability and their mental health. of the three prime areas the use of technology. CHILDREN of the Early Years of communication from the Ofsted framework. with speech, language and Foundation Stage We must improve the outcomes No assessment in curriculum. for these children and young people. communication needs (SLCN) spoken language after age five within the curriculum. 6 bercow : TEN Years ON THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE. The children and young people More than 10% of children and young people have long-term speech, language The impact and communication needs (SLCN) which We have more evidence than ever before create barriers to communication or learning demonstrating the direct impact of SLCN.

9 In everyday life: on children's life chances. have developmental E D U C AT I O N A L AT TA I N M E N T. language Just 26% of young children with SLCN made 2 .3% have language disorders associated expected academic progress in the Early with another condition such as autism Years Foundation Stage9 compared with or hearing 69% of all children. SLCN also include conditions such as speech Just 15% of pupils with identified SLCN. difficulties, stammering and many others. achieved the expected standard in reading, Children living in areas of social disadvantage writing and mathematics at the end of their are at much higher risk, with around primary school years10 compared with 61%. 50% of children starting school with delayed of all pupils. language and other identified ,8. Only of pupils with SLCN gained grade 4/C or above in English and maths at GCSE, compared with of all SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL. A N D M E N TA L H E A LT H.

10 81% of children with emotional and behavioural disorders have unidentified language Young people referred to mental health Developmental services are three times more likely to language disorder: have SLCN than those who have not A condition been where children have problems LIFE CHANCES. understanding Children with poor vocabulary skills are and/or using spoken twice as likely to be unemployed when language. There is they reach no obvious reason for these difficulties 60% of young offenders have low no hearing problem language or physical disability explains them. 8 bercow : TEN Years ON BACKGROUND. Background bercow : Ten Years On We consulted with more than 2,500 people follows in the footsteps of between January and November 2017. its predecessor The bercow Report16, investigating the Surveys and Submissions Oral evidence sessions services and experiences of Main survey of The impact of SLCN: what practitioners and others happens if needs are not children and young people identified or supported Parents and carers of with speech, language and children with SLCN Support for children communication needs Children and young people aged 0-2.