{"id":31466,"date":"2025-03-13T12:42:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T12:42:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=31466"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:44:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:44:04","slug":"speech-clarity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/ordinarily-available-inclusive-provision\/targeted\/communication-and-interaction-needs\/speech-clarity\/","title":{"rendered":"Speech clarity"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-heading-quote clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-6970bc000417e\"><div class=\"hq-outer\"><h2><span class=\"hq-heading\">What is speech clarity?<\/span><span class=\"hq-icon\"><\/span><\/h2><div class=\"hq-intro\"><p>Speech clarity is how easily and accurately spoken words can be understood by a listener. It includes pronunciation, pace, volume, intonation and enunciation.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-6970bc00041cf\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#222959;stroke-width:0}<\/style><\/defs><g id=\"Group_7793\"><path id=\"Path_2\" fill=\"#f0d85d\" stroke-width=\"0\" d=\"M17.57 2.73h24.27l16.17 16.5v23.01L41.84 60H18.41L1.48 42.24V19.23l16.09-16.5Z\"><\/path><g id=\"question-octagon\"><g id=\"Group_7792\"><path id=\"Path_6596\" d=\"M17.02.55c.35-.35.83-.55 1.32-.55h23.3c.5 0 .97.2 1.32.55l16.48 16.48c.35.35.55.83.55 1.32v23.3c0 .5-.2.97-.55 1.32L42.96 59.45c-.35.35-.83.55-1.32.55h-23.3c-.5 0-.97-.2-1.32-.55L.55 42.97A1.88 1.88 0 0 1 0 41.65v-23.3c0-.5.2-.97.55-1.32L17.02.55Zm2.1 3.2L3.75 19.12v21.75l15.38 15.38h21.75l15.38-15.38V19.12L40.88 3.74H19.13Z\" class=\"cls-1\"><\/path><path id=\"Path_6597\" d=\"M19.57 21.78c-.01.24.08.48.26.65.18.17.41.27.66.26h3.14c.52-.01.95-.41 1.01-.93.34-2.43 2.05-4.21 5.1-4.21 2.61 0 5 1.27 5 4.33 0 2.36-1.42 3.44-3.67 5.09-2.56 1.81-4.58 3.93-4.44 7.37v.8c.03.51.45.92.96.91h3.08c.52 0 .94-.41.95-.93v-.39c0-2.66 1.04-3.44 3.84-5.51 2.32-1.72 4.73-3.62 4.73-7.63 0-5.6-4.85-8.31-10.16-8.31-4.82 0-10.09 2.19-10.45 8.48Zm5.92 21.38c.05 1.96 1.68 3.5 3.64 3.45.07 0 .14 0 .2-.01 2.32 0 3.91-1.46 3.91-3.44s-1.6-3.49-3.91-3.49a3.534 3.534 0 0 0-3.82 3.23c0 .09-.01.17-.01.26Z\" class=\"cls-1\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Identification<\/strong> &#8211; what you may see in the child or young person<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><ul>\n<li>May not use sounds accurately in words, affecting how easy it is for them to get their message across successfully.<\/li>\n<li>Children and young people may use alternative strategies to communicate, such as gesture.<\/li>\n<li>May struggle to speak at an appropriate rate or lack fluency when talking.<\/li>\n<li>May not produce all parts of longer words accurately. This can also be a sign of underlying difficulties with storing and retrieving words accurately. Consider language skills alongside any observable speech sound difficulties.<\/li>\n<li>Speech sound difficulties and underlying gaps in phonological awareness (syllable, rhyme, first or last sound identification etc.) are likely to affect literacy development including progress with Phonics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-6970bc0004ec8\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 65 60\"><g data-name=\"Group 1\"><path fill=\"#f0d85d\" d=\"M3 4h59v56H3z\" data-name=\"Rectangle 1619\"><\/path><path fill=\"#222959\" d=\"M4.434.004A4.59 4.59 0 0 0 0 4.736v50.528a4.59 4.59 0 0 0 4.434 4.74h56.132A4.59 4.59 0 0 0 65 55.264V4.736A4.59 4.59 0 0 0 60.566.004Zm1.476 6.31h53.18v47.372h-7.382v-3.155H38.41v3.155H5.91V6.314ZM32.5 18.947a4.748 4.748 0 1 0 4.432 4.738 4.592 4.592 0 0 0-4.432-4.738Zm-11.816 5.53a3.506 3.506 0 0 0 0 7 3.506 3.506 0 0 0 0-7Zm23.633 0a3.281 3.281 0 0 0-2.957 1.745 3.764 3.764 0 0 0 0 3.61 3.281 3.281 0 0 0 2.957 1.745 3.567 3.567 0 0 0 0-7.1ZM32.5 31.578a13.579 13.579 0 0 0-8.526 2.912 10.54 10.54 0 0 0-3.291-.544c-3.559 0-7.391 2.012-7.391 4.513v2.594h38.416v-2.594c0-2.5-3.832-4.513-7.391-4.513a10.548 10.548 0 0 0-3.291.544 13.579 13.579 0 0 0-8.526-2.912Z\" data-name=\"Path 6598\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Planned<\/strong> provision in school<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><p>Based on need, some of this provision will be effective.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adult to model the target sounds and words in any speech sound intervention<\/strong>. This is a key part of the programme.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ensure hearing has been checked.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Discreet praise for successful pronunciation or a good attempt<\/strong>. The child or young person is discreetly praised for successful pronunciation or a good attempt, or using other ways to get their message across successfully, such as leading the adult to the item, gestures, using a different word.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Respond to what the child or young person has said<\/strong>, rather than how they have said it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Model back, with accurate pronunciation, without correcting the child<\/strong>. Recast what the child or young person has said by modelling back with accurate pronunciation and without correcting them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide targeted intervention support using guidance from assessments<\/strong>, for example Speech Link intervention (see their sound games and phonological awareness programme as well as programme which target the production of specific sounds).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sirona-cic.org.uk\/children-services\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/08\/TK59-0225-Top-tips-for-Sound-bag-v2-1.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">sound bags<\/a><\/strong> &#8211; gather a range of objects that all begin with the same sound or pattern of sounds. Listen for the sounds in the words together, for example snake, spider, snail, scuttle, slither, small, scary, slimy (for modelling &#8216;s&#8217; clusters).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide alternative ways to communicate<\/strong>. Some children and young people may need alternative ways to communicate whilst they are developing their speech sound system, such as Makaton or communication boards. Specialist support may be needed to implement these approaches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-6970bc0004f64\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 76.617 60\"><g data-name=\"Group 1\"><path fill=\"#f0d85d\" d=\"M1.371 3h73v52h-73z\" data-name=\"Rectangle 1638\"><\/path><g fill=\"#222959\"><path d=\"M46.517 13.632h19.154v5.473H46.517Z\" data-name=\"Path 6599\"><\/path><path d=\"M46.517 27.264h19.154v5.473H46.517Z\" data-name=\"Path 6600\"><\/path><path d=\"M46.517 40.896h19.154v5.473H46.517Z\" data-name=\"Path 6601\"><\/path><path d=\"M10.945 13.632h19.154v5.473H10.945Z\" data-name=\"Path 6602\"><\/path><path d=\"M10.945 27.264h19.154v5.473H10.945Z\" data-name=\"Path 6603\"><\/path><path d=\"M10.945 40.896h19.154v5.473H10.945Z\" data-name=\"Path 6604\"><\/path><path d=\"M71.144 0H5.473A5.469 5.469 0 0 0 0 5.455v49.09A5.469 5.469 0 0 0 5.473 60h65.671a5.469 5.469 0 0 0 5.473-5.455V5.455A5.469 5.469 0 0 0 71.144 0ZM5.473 5.455h30.1v49.09h-30.1Zm35.572 49.09V5.455h30.1v49.09Z\" data-name=\"Path 6625\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Resources<\/strong> for schools<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Support services<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/our-pathways\/speech-language-and-communication\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Speech, language and communication<\/a> | Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n<li>Training for TAs: <a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/supporting-school-age-children-with-speech-and-sound-difficulties\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Supporting school age children with speech and sound difficulties<\/a> | Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">Further <strong>reading<\/strong> and information<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/docs\/speech-sound-development-chart.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Typical speech sound development guide<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/speech-sound-training-online-version-jan-2021.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Online (pre-recorded) speech sound training<\/a> | Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/listening-games-for-speech-sound-training\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Listening games for speech sound training<\/a> | Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedyslexia-spldtrust.org.uk\/media\/downloads\/72-communicating-phonics-final.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Speech and language difficulties and the Phonics Screening Check<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afasic.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/CCHettonLeaflet.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">How teachers can help in the classroom &#8211; Secondary<\/a> | Afasic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Resources to share with parents<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.afasic.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/3._Speech_1.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Parent hand-out: Speech<\/a> | Afasic<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/tiny-happy-people\/articles\/z3ybg7h#zrbc4xs\" rel=\"noopener\">What age do speech sounds develop?<\/a> | BBC Tiny Happy People<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk\/resources\/speech-and-language-development-series-2\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Speech development series<\/a> | Children and Family Health Devon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":981,"featured_media":0,"parent":31445,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-31466","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-11 21:28:39","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31466","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/981"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31466"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31466\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":35429,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31466\/revisions\/35429"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31466"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}