In Devon, we aim to provide timely and appropriate support for children as early as possible in order to maximise their potential and ultimately improve their life chances.
All children and young people are supported under universal services, and if their needs require additional support, they can be referred to targeted and specialist services.
Universal support
Universal support is intended for all children and young people, not just those with additional needs.
You should be provided with information and guidance to support speech, language and communication skills development. This is available from a number of sources including Children and Family Health Devon, public health nurses, the Early Years Consultancy Team, Family Hubs (formerly children’s centres) and your child’s school or educational setting.
Targeted support
Some children will require additional support or provision. At this level, a range of support packages are available from a number of professionals and organisations, including Children and Family Health Devon, public health nurses, children’s centres and The Communication and Interaction Team.
Referral to one or more specialist services will need to be considered at any age if a child shows one or more of the following signs:
- A lack of progress or response to approaches used by those working at ‘universal’ and ‘early intervention/preventative’ levels.
- Communication skills that are somewhat behind other levels of the child’s development.
- A specific problem in a particular area of communication that hinders learning or access to the curriculum.
- A disordered pattern of communication development, for example, the child is not following the usual developmental pattern.
- The child’s ability to communicate is negatively impacting on their behaviour as well as their social, emotional and mental health development.
Specialist support
Children and young people requiring specialist support will have significant and persistent needs despite appropriate intervention and support.
At this level:
- a range of assessments are used to identify persistent and complex speech, language and communication needs
- The Speech and Language Therapy Team and Communication and Interaction Team provide specialist level support for practitioners in settings and schools to facilitate the effective implementation of specialist interventions
- schools and educational settings should provide teaching and learning opportunities that are different and additional to normal
- schools and educational settings should ensure that the learning environments are appropriately adapted to ensure optimum communication and learning
- workshops are provided for parents in order to ensure you understand your child’s needs and are confident in your role as key communication partner for your child
- speech and language therapists may deliver direct intervention as appropriate
These three levels of support are available to all children and young people aged from 0 to 25. There is more information available about the support during early years as well as information about the support at all three levels provided in schools.