Creative Conversations Workshop

Posted: 

1
Oct
Event Date :
17 October 2018
Cost :
FREE!
Venue :
The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, EX6 7UE
Description :

Improving Access to Communication Services and Support Project Steering Group

invite you to a

Creative Conversations Workshop

to be held on

Wednesday 17th October

10.00 -15.00

at The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, EX6 7UE

The workshop is a free locally designed and delivered event aiming to consider the following statement and question:

‘Every child and young person across wider Devon can use speech, language and communication to their best ability.  How can we make this a reality for every child and young person, for ever?’

We aim to achieve this by bringing enthusiastic, committed people together to express views and ideas whilst discussing opportunities, resources available (and needed) in order to make sustainable impacts. 

RSVP: sarah.miller@devon.gov.uk

 

Background:

It is widely acknowledged that effective speech, language and communication skills are fundamental for academic achievement, positive social, emotional and mental health development, behaviour and increased life chances; including employability.  

 

However, research has found that:

  • Over 50% of children entering Foundation Stage in areas of high social deprivation have speech and language difficulties.

  • Between 7-10% of children and young people have speech, language and communication needs; that equates to at least 2 children in a class of 30 children. 

  • Speech, language and communication needs have been identified as the most prevalent type of Special Educational Need (SEN) in primary schools. 

  • 81% of children with emotional and behavioural disorders have unidentified language difficulties.

  • Young people referred to mental health services are three times more likely to have speech language and communication needs than those who have not been referred.

  • 66-90% of young offenders have low language skills, with 46-67% of these being in the poor or very poor range. (Bryan et al, 2007)

 

The workshop aims to be an open agenda, meaning that from within the room you will decide what to discuss to ensure that

 

‘Every child and young person across wider Devon can use speech, language and communication to their best ability.  How can we make this a reality for every child and young person, for ever?’

 

Who will be there?

There will be broad attendance list - including education, health and social care professionals, members of the voluntary sector, commissioners and very importantly, young people and parents/carers. 

 

What are the benefits of me attending as workload is really high at the moment?

We hope that you will bring a strong focus on generating ideas and innovative thinking.

We encourage you to consider and challenge traditional means to ‘address’ Speech Language and Communication needs in children and young people alongside new ideas that you might have. We acknowledge that there are the same people and organisations with the same financial constraints but maybe we can think of a wider and integrated system within this that will meet our children and young people’s Speech, Language and Communication needs, after all:

 

Without a shift in approach, children and young people will continue to leave school without basic language and literacy skills. We will continue having disproportionate numbers of young people with SLCN who are not in education, employment or training, who need mental health support or who are in contact within the youth justice system. Children and young people with lifelong communication needs will not get the support and adjustments they require. As a result, children and young people with the potential to do well will struggle to make an active contribution to society as adults. We cannot afford, socially or economically, to continue with the status quo’ Bercow 10 years on (2018).