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Prevalence:

Nationally, 10% of children have long-term SLC (speech, language and communication) impairments

SLC needs are the most common type of SEN in 4-11 year olds.  

The number of children with SLC needs as a primary need has increased by 58% between 2005 and 2010. The publication of the Government's statistics on SEN in September 2014 pupils categorised by primary schools with SLCN as their main need has increased by over 11% since 2012.

The number of pupils categorised by secondary schools, with SLCN as their main need has increased hasincreased by over 5% since 2012.  

SLC needs can also be a secondary need resulting from other impairments 

In areas of social disadvantage more than 50% of children have SLC difficulties and start school with delayed language whilst cognitive skills are within average range

Upon school entry children from low SES backgrounds lag 16 months behind their high income counterparts in vocabulary.

Vocabulary at age 5 is a strong predictor of qualifications at school leaving age and beyond (Feinstein and Duckworth 2006)


Pupils with SEN are more than twice as likely to be eligible for free school meals than those without SEN.


'Language and communication' is now one of the 3 core strands of EYFS.

Communication has a strong position in OFSTED inspection framework both in relation to teaching and learning; and with a focus on those children who do not attain well.

Supporting children's speech and language development improves their ability to access the curriculum, promotes their educational attainment and social-emotional development.

Why should provisions prioritise the development of children's speech and language skills?

Speech, Language and communication (SLC) skills impact on a wide range of outcomes:

- educational attainment
            '50% of children with SLC needs go on
             to have reading difficulties'

            'only one fifth with SLC needs reach 
            expected levels in both maths and English at
             age 11'

            'only 10% get 5 good GCSEs 
            including English and maths'

            'only 50% remain in full-time ed. post 16'
    
- mental health
            '40% of 7-14 year olds referred to child 
            psychiatric services have an unidentified
             language impairment (Cohen et al 1998)'

            'without help one third of children with SLC 
            needs will need treatment for mental health
            conditions in adult life' (Clergy et al 2005)

- employment
            'men with speech difficulties are 8 times
             more likely to be unemployed'

            'children with normal non-verbal skills but a 
            poor vocabulary at age 5 are twice as likely 
            to be unemployed as adults than those with
             normally developing language at age 5'

            'there is increasing importance being placed 
            upon communication skills in the job market 
            based on employer ratings'

- behaviour & criminality
            'two thirds of 7-14 year olds with serious
             behaviour problems have language 
             impairment'

            '60% of youth offenders have SLC needs'.
            '35% of youth offenders have a basic level of
             SLC skills'