Speech, Language and Communication Needs

Schools and settings implement early support as part of their Special Educational Needs (SEN) Offer.

The offer of support from schools and settings is described in the ordinarily available provision page.

Early Help team

Early Help is all about providing the right support to children and families at the earliest possible time; it brings together workers who can support the whole family to try and improve things for everyone.

Find out more on the Safer Children website.

Early Help Advice and support for professionals

Early Help advice and support is available from the City of York Council. Read more about Early Help for families.

Request for help with child or young person's speech, language or communication skills

If you've read the information and tried the strategies on the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital advice page, but still have concerns about a child or young person's speech, language, or communication skills, you can make a request for help. During this call, you can discuss your concerns and the impact on the child or young person. We'll ask what has been put in place so far and how well it has worked. 

If it's decided that some direct assessment or support is required, your child will be added to the assessment waiting list.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provide training to parent or carers and professionals across a range of clinical specialisms. The details of any upcoming training sessions and how to get booked on can be found on the York and Scarborough NHS website.

Family Hubs

More details to follow.

Community support

Find out more about community support.

Health Visitors

Health Visitors are qualified nurses or midwives with specialist training in public health for children, young people and families. Health visitor’s additional public health training enables them to effectively promote good health and prevent illness through assessing the health needs of individuals, families and the wider community.

Learning Support hub

There is a Universal Offer of training and advice for children and young people and settings to support inclusion for all children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs.

Read more about the Learning Support Hub.

Portage team and Early Support Coordinator

A home visiting educational teaching service for pre-school children with disabilities and special educational needs. The Portage team run Social Communication Groups and Musical Interaction Groups to support the development of language in pre-school children.

Read more about the Learning Support Hub.

Educational Psychology Service

Working to improve the educational outcomes, emotional well-being and personal development of children and young people through the use of psychology. The Educational Psychology service work with children and young people, in partnership with parent carers and staff, in a variety of educational settings including pre-schools, schools and colleges.

Early Help Short Breaks offer

Short Breaks help children and young people with disabilities, as part of a regular and supported package of care for them and their family. A diagnosis is needed to access this service.