{"id":9076,"date":"2022-07-08T14:37:19","date_gmt":"2022-07-08T13:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.devon.gov.uk\/supportforschools\/?page_id=9076"},"modified":"2023-11-15T10:45:15","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T10:45:15","slug":"supporting-slcn-in-secondary-schools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/communication-and-interaction\/one-minute-guides\/supporting-slcn-in-secondary-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting SLCN in secondary schools"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#speech-language-and-communication-needs-slcn-in-adolescents\">Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in adolescents<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#language-development-in-adolescence\">Language development in adolescence<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#implications-for-young-people-with-slcn\">Implications for young people with SLCN:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#potential-challenges-at-secondary\">Potential challenges at secondary:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#identification\">Identification<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#strategies-to-support-secondary-pupils-with-slcn\">Strategies to support secondary pupils with SLCN:<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#communication-friendly-school\">Communication friendly school<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#understanding-young-peoples-slcn\">Understanding young people\u2019s SLCN<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#useful-resources-links-and-further-reading\">Useful resources, links and further reading<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\t<div class=\"dcc-documents-cpt-fixed dccdocs-sticky dccdocs-hidden\">\r\n    <div class=\"grid-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x\">\r\n            <div class=\"cell medium-12\">\r\n                <a class=\"back-to-top hide-for-print\" href=\"#content\"><svg class=\"app-c-back-to-top__icon\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"13\" height=\"17\" viewBox=\"0 0 13 17\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z\"><\/path><\/svg> Contents<\/a>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:75%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:41.333%\"><div class=\"document-meta-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_ebabbc8cd1a4c2a5b6519814ed612e40\"><div class=\" dcc-documents-meta\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><p class=\"dcc-documents-published\"><span>Published<\/span> <time datetime=\"2022-07-08T14:37:19+00:00\">08\/07\/2022 2:37pm<\/time><\/p><p class=\"dcc-documents-updated\"><span>Last Updated<\/span> <time datetime=\"2023-11-15T10:45:15+00:00\">15\/11\/2023 10:45am<\/time><\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:58.666%\"><div class=\"document-download-acf-block clearfix \" id=\"block_d059429c6a5a649fa5bc7db7a594eea9\">\r\n\r\n\t\t<div class=\" dcc-documents-downloads hide-for-print\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget dcc-documents-widget-block\"><div class=\"dcc-documents-widget-box2\"><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"content-column download-copy\"><h2 class=\"dcc-documents-title\">Document resources<\/strong><\/h2><p class=\"dcc-documents-intro\">These files may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"content-column download-button\"><ul class=\"dcc-documents-widget-dropdown dcc-documents-widget-menu\"><li class=\"dcc-documents-widget-is-dropdown\"><button class=\"button secondary dcc-documents-widget-noarrow dcc-documents-widget-button dcc-documents-widget-download-button\" >Download<\/button><ul id=\"\" class=\"dcc-documents-widget-vertical dcc-documents-widget-menu dcc-documents-widget-is-submenu\" data-disable-hover=\"true\" data-click-open=\"true\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/Ed6JTAg61HpAqGzK6MdG0NUB_2yrCrMPkxSDkkJ3t3bk7Q?e=3hsfa6\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-text\"><span>Supporting SLCN in Secondary Schools (Document)<\/span><\/span><span class=\"dcc-documents-widget-size\">783KB<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"speech-language-and-communication-needs-slcn-in-adolescents\">Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in adolescents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Communication is the most fundamental life skill for young people. It directly impacts on a person\u2019s ability to learn, develop friendships and influences their life chances. It is crucial not to underestimate the importance of communication skills on the outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More than 10% of children and young people have long-term SLCN which create barriers to communication or learning in everyday life (Reference 1) these difficulties may present differently, but do not go away when pupils transition from primary to secondary education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Only 20.3% of pupils with SLCN gained grade 4\/C or above in English and maths at GCSE, compared with 63.9% of all pupils&nbsp;(Reference 2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Children living in areas of social disadvantage are at much higher risk, with upward of 50% of children starting school with delayed language and other identified SLCN (Reference 3)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"language-development-in-adolescence\">Language development in adolescence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Language development doesn\u2019t stop in the early years and primary school. In fact certain aspects of language develop during the secondary school years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Complex verbal reasoning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multiple meaning and abstract vocabulary<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understanding and using figurative language<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Telling more involved narratives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increasingly sophisticated social communication skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A pupil\u2019s confidence with the above higher language skills will strongly influence school attainment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"implications-for-young-people-with-slcn\">Implications for young people with SLCN:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Speech, language and communication underpin the basic skills of English and Maths and are necessary for students to understand and achieve in all subjects. Without this support, they will struggle to understand instructions, access the curriculum, manage their behaviour and reach attainment levels that could otherwise be within their grasp. It is vital that we support and guide their communication to avoid the negative consequences, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lower academic achievement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk of developing SEMH needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social isolation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School exclusion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employment and criminality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"potential-challenges-at-secondary\">Potential challenges at secondary:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased vocabulary demands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meaning of words change according to the subject<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generalising the meanings of words<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Literacy becomes major source of language development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Making links between subject areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Different teacher styles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing less structured social \u2018free\u2019 time<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased social language demands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"identification\">Identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Identification in secondary can be challenging:<br>\u2022 A young person is more likely to hide their difficulties<br>\u2022 SLCN can be mistaken for behavioural difficulties<br>\u2022 Underlying SLCN can be masked by good surface language skills<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"strategies-to-support-secondary-pupils-with-slcn\">Strategies to support secondary pupils with SLCN:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With communication identified as being crucial in adolescence and knowing the potential risks associated with SLCN \u2013 it is essential to have a focus on communication within secondary schools to enable good support for those with SLCN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"communication-friendly-school\">Communication friendly school<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The whole school approach is seen as essential in establishing a change in how schools think about communication difficulties&nbsp;(Reference 4). Ensuring communication is embedded at a universal level is necessary for supporting SLCN.<br>Key strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Whole school audit, identifying good practice and areas for improvement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School environment that support communication; raising staff awareness of the importance of language and communication, developing their skills and adapting their language<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identification; staff to feel confident when identifying SLCN to enable the correct support<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"understanding-young-peoples-slcn\">Understanding young people\u2019s SLCN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pupils with SLCN have varied profiles and so the impact on their learning and behaviour also varies. Their profile of strengths and areas of need will be different, therefore it is important to take this into account when supporting the individual.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Key strategies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communicationpassports.org.uk\/creating-passports\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Communication passports<\/a>&nbsp;involve young people in developing their personal learning profile based on their strengths and needs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting staff\u2019s knowledge and understanding of different types of SLCN and strategies to support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staff ensure all lessons are SLCN friendly through careful planning of vocabulary, differentiation and specific SLCN supports ? Quiet space is available for regulation or individual study<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mentoring support and check ins, to encourage pupil voice, develop awareness and reflection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Targeted and specialist intervention delivered by trained staff to teach specific language skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Systems to support social communication and interaction such as interventions, different lunch times and lunch clubs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"useful-resources-links-and-further-reading\">Useful resources, links and further reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Websites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.icancharity.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ICAN primary and secondary schools teacher support<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/speechandlanguage.org.uk\/talking-point\/for-professionals\/the-communication-trust\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Communication trust<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Resources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcslt.org\/-\/media\/Project\/RCSLT\/rcslt-behaviour-a4-factsheet.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Understanding links between communication and behaviour factsheet<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>References:<br>1) Bercow (2018)<br>2) Department for Education GCSE results (2017)<br>3) Law, J., McBean, K and Rush, R. (2011)<br>4)&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/speechandlanguage.org.uk\/talking-point\/for-professionals\/the-communication-trust\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Communication Trust, Every Child Understood&nbsp;<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/devoncc.sharepoint.com\/:b:\/s\/PublicDocs\/Education\/Ed6JTAg61HpAqGzK6MdG0NUB_2yrCrMPkxSDkkJ3t3bk7Q?e=3hsfa6\" rel=\"noopener\">Download the printable version of this guide.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) in adolescents Communication is the most fundamental life skill for young people. It directly impacts on a person\u2019s ability [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2436,"featured_media":0,"parent":8109,"menu_order":15,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"longdocument-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-9076","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"updated":"","dccdocs_documents":null,"section-guidance":"","sections":null},"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-05-08 18:11:12","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\/9076","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\/2436"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9076"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9076\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23431,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9076\/revisions\/23431"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9076"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}