The Communication Trust, a coalition of 39 voluntary and community sector organisations with expertise in children’s speech, language and communication, has drawn together over 150 of the biggest voices in children’s communication at the House of Commons, London, to mark the forthcoming 2011 National Year of Communication.
The National Year – to help all children and young people fulfil their potential through better communication – was originally proposed in John Bercow’s 2008 Review of Services for Children and Young People 0-19 with Speech, Language and Communication Needs. With the backing of the Communication Champion, Jean Gross, The Communication Trust will manage and deliver the National Year.
This inaugural event; sponsored by Robert Buckland MP, unveiled for the first time Hello – The Communication Trust’s campaign to achieve the aims of the National Year, by providing tangible improvements for the 1.2 million children and young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
Anita Kerwin-Nye, Director of The Communication Trust, said; “Today’s milestone event represents a huge leap forward for the third sector and our partners. The support and passion for Hello has been palpable - together we will turn Bercow’s recommendations into reality. Our appreciation and thanks go to the Minister, Sarah Teather, for her long-term dedication and commitment to championing speech and language issues. We are also hugely grateful to BT, a founding member of The Communication Trust, for continuing their long term commitment to the cause by supporting Hello.
“The Hello campaign addresses the issues set out in Bercow and directly complements the Governments current priorities. Parents and families need timely information and support on developing their children’s communication, which is why we have set ourselves an ambitious target of reaching every new parent in 2011, amongst other activity. We will greatly improve understanding of SLCN and speech and language impairment (SLI), taking it to a level not seen before.
“No parent should feel alone or have to fight for services because their child’s needs have been misunderstood, or in the worst situations, missed altogether. The children’s workforce wants more information and support in developing all children’s speech and language and in identifying problems early on. We will provide ages and stages booklets, milestone posters, clear and easy symptom checklists that validate concerns and develop approaches to screening for children at pre-school and age 5. Importantly, we will champion the excellent work that is already out there through a ‘Good Communication’ awards scheme.”
Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP Steve Brine said: “I was more than happy to attend this inaugural event, and I know that Susie, a speech therapist, shares my delight at the forthcoming National Year of Communication.
“Children who struggle with their communication at school con often suffer great educational disadvantages which put them behind the curve for the rest of their lives. We have to do much better in identifying those who need help and see that they get it through the school system.”
Larry Stone, BT, President Group Public and Government Affairs, said; “Communication is key to our business. But it needs to be everyone’s business. We depend on people being able to talk, listen and connect with others. However, as an employer we find increasingly that communication is a skill often lacking in new recruits. Our next generation are growing up in a digital world, but this shouldn’t be at the expense of face to face communication. Along with The Communication Trust, we are fully committed to helping all children and young people’s communication skills so they can live life to the full.”
Anita Kerwin-Nye continues; “Last week the Centre for Excellence and Outcomes (C4EO) specifically recommended that the National Year be fully exploited. We embrace that challenge and today showcased our newest publication Don’t Get Me Wrong. It has been specifically designed for those working with children and young people, who have some knowledge of SLCN, but want more. It forms a welcome addition to our growing suite of information and publications.
“We continue to be grateful for Government support and commitment to improving services for children and young people with SLCN. The Communication Trust embodies efficient third sector working and is a model of Big Society in practice. This, alongside our passion for supporting children and families, ensures we are particularly well placed to take forward Bercow’s recommendations.”
Communication is a skill that anyone can learn and improve. It underpins everything we do in life. However, for some children, their daily struggle to communicate means they are shut out of life. 1.2 million children and young people have some form of SLCN. This can affect them severely and for life. In some areas of social disadvantage, upwards of 50% of children are arriving at school with delayed communication skills. They are on the back foot from day one and struggle to learn and make friends.
Pictured; Steve and Robert Buckland MP join guests at the recent Parliamentary reception
More information...
Hello aims to help thousands of children and young people across the UK to improve their communication skills so they can live life to the full. Please visit www.hello.org.uk to sign up for regular updates.