Free Universal Training for all Professionals

The Paediatric Speech and Language Service offers a range of free courses for professionals supporting children and young people in early years and educational settings. 

All courses are delivered via Microsoft Teams and are delivered by Speech and Language Therapists.  

Places are limited to 40 per course.  There will be a maximum of 3 spaces offered per course per school.  Courses are booked on a first come/first served basis.   

Places on the course are very popular. If you cannot attend, please cancel your place on the course so other settings can attend.  

Supporting Children with Complex Needs in EYFS and KS1 

Course Content 

This course is open to Early Years Practitioners (Nursery & Reception).  

What is covered on the course:   

• Areas of Communication and associated difficulties.   

• Why Mainstream settings can be a challenging environment.  

• Visual strategies to support a child’s understanding.  

• Approaches and strategies to support and develop functional communication skills through use of symbols, communication boards, signs etc

Supporting Speech and Language in the Early Years 

Course Content

This course is open to Early Years Practitioners (Nursery & Reception).  

• To be aware of the skills that support: Communication – Interaction, play, attention and listening, understanding, spoken language and speech sounds.  

• To be aware of the strategies to support children who have difficulties with their communication skills.  

• To understand how to use your environment to effectively support communication skills.  

To understand the speech and language pathway for referral.

An Introduction to Speech, Language and Communication Needs for Primary School Staff

Course Content

This course is open to Primary Education Staff.  

What will be covered on the course:  

• An introduction to Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) such as Developmental Language Disorder (DLD).  

• To raise awareness of the impact of SLCN and DLD on pupils.  

• To develop an understanding of how you can support students with SLCN & DLD.  

An Introduction to Speech, Language and Communication Needs for Secondary School and Further Education Staff

Course Content

This course is open to Secondary Education Staff.  

Covered in the course will be:  

• An introduction to Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) such as Development Language Disorder (DLD).  

• To raise awareness of the impact of SLCN and DLD on students.  

• To develop understanding of how you can support students with SLCN & DLD.  

Supporting Speech Sound Development

Course Content

This training course is aimed at educating staff in Key Stage 1&2.  

Content of the course will be:  

•  What is speech and typical speech sound development.  

•  What methods might you use to identify and manage speech sound difficulties.