Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he plans to take to improve (i) universal; (ii) targeted; and (iii) specialist, speech and language and communication support in schools.
Minister of Education: The Education Authority Local Impact Teams (LITs) include Language and Communication Specialists, who offer tailored support for schools as well as children and young people through a graduated, needs-based approach.
(i) Universal support
At a universal level, LITs support schools to embed the Graduated Response Framework through advice and guidance, resources and professional learning. This enables schools to meet most language and communication needs through high quality teaching and inclusive classroom strategies.
(ii) Targeted support
Where additional support is required, schools can request involvement from their LIT. This may include advice, consultation, modelling of strategies and time limited interventions, tailored to the needs of the child or group and focused on building school capacity.
(iii) Specialist support
For a small number of children with complex and persistent needs, a request can be made for Specialist Provision for Speech and Language, Speech and Language Classes (SLCs). This provision is delivered in partnership with Health and Social Care Trusts HSCT), who are responsible for speech and language therapy.
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