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Speech, Language and Communication Needs30 creditsMaster of EducationOnlineContinuing Professional DevelopmentValidated by Middlesex University

 

Communication Needs

Speech, Language and Communication Needs will provide you with the opportunity to practice and develop the key skills that will enable you to have a positive impact on the speech, language and communication needs of children in your setting. These skills will be rooted in an understanding of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and its relationship to learning and other areas of children and young people’s development.

You’ll build knowledge of the nature and range of SLCN and their potential impacts for children and young people and how needs may be identified, assessed and profiled.

You will leave this module with a tool-kit of ways in which SLCN can be effectively supported and how to do so in joint working within schools and with other agencies supporting SLCN. This module is an optional module on our SEND and Inclusion Programme and Inclusive Educational Leadership Programme.

Why take this module?

Choose this module and:

  • Build a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant SLCN and its relevance to pupils’ learning, social, emotional development and behaviour.
  • Understand the relationship between SLCN and other areas of SEND.
  • Critically evaluate the impact for pupils with SLCN at the learning, social, emotional and behavioural levels, with reference to current theory and evidence including their role, and the processes and methods used, in identifying, assessing and profiling a child or young person’s SLCN.
  • Critically evaluate a range of ways SLCN can be supported in the classroom and wider school context and analyse how their effectiveness may be evaluated including ways to fully engage those with SLCN in all aspects of their support.
  • Evaluate the factors contributing to effective inter-professional and inter-agency collaboration in relation to children with SLCN.

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

The next cohort begins on 15 May 2024. Book and enrol before 15 May 2024 to join our next cohort.

How will you benefit?

This module will benefit you and your setting in a wide variety of ways. Over the duration of the course, you will:

  • Practice and develop the key skills that will enable you to have a positive impact on the speech, language and communication needs of children in your setting.
  • Get to grips with the key theories, research and policies and understand how to critique knowledge and existing practice effectively.
  • Gain confidence and experience in the skillsets that will enable you to identify, assess and profile needs.
  • Learn how SLCN can be supported effectively by nurturing each pupil’s voice and encouraging participation.
  • Develop professional collaboration by understanding local policy, roles, responsibilities and explore the complex relationship between the facilitation of best practice and the structure of services.
  • Attain 30 Masters level (Level 7) credits which you can put towards a PGCert, PGDip or Master of Education on our SEND and Inclusion Programme or Inclusive Educational Leadership Programme

Choose a start date that suits you

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

The next cohort begins on 15 May 2024. Book and enrol before 15 May 2024 to join our next cohort.

The module content

  • Theories of speech, language and communication development.
  • The role of language in learning, social, emotional development and behaviour.
  • Impact of SLCN on children and young people.
  • The differences between pupils with DLD (Developmental Language Disorder), and those with transient, ‘environmentally generated’ SLCN.
  • ‘What Works’ website – supporting SLCN by exploring the evidence-based interventions & methods for evaluating the effectiveness of support.
  • How to adopt a graduated approach to supporting SLCN lead by Quality First Teaching as outlined in the 2015 Code of Practice.
  • Involving children and young people with SLCN – pupil voice and participation.
  • Developing and fostering universal level communication & language-rich environments within every classroom.
  • Roles, responsibilities and structures of services to support children and young people with SLCN.

Strand one: Speech, language, and communication in the learning context

  • Familiarise yourself with the theories and models of typical speech, language and communication development.
  • Develop your understanding of speech, language and communication skills, particularly how they develop and relate to the educational context.
  • The knowledge that you gain will underpin your exploration of speech, language and communication difficulties, the impact of these needs and their relationship to other areas of SEND.

Strand two: Identifying, profiling and assessing SLCN

  • Focus on developing processes to support the identification, assessment, and profiling of the needs of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN).
  • Identify pupils who may be struggling with speech, language, and communication.
  • Assess the nature and range of those needs using a combination of approaches and professionals.
  • Collate the information from a variety of sources to create a holistic profile of their strengths and needs – this will enable you to provide appropriate tailored support that assists in further monitoring.

Strand three: Maximising positive outcomes for learners and the setting

  • Consider the research and evidence on interventions and approaches to ensure good outcomes for those with SLCN.
  • Build upon activities already completed in strand two to form the content for your final assignment.
  • Produce a single presentation for your colleagues that will meet the requirements of both of your final assignments.

How will you be assessed?

Your assessments will consist of the following:

  • Self evaluation questionnaires for you to check your knowledge and understanding throughout the module
  • Three assessed tasks:

Critical analysis 1: (3,000 words): Critically evaluate the role of speech, language and communication development within the educational context.
Critical analysis 2: (1,500 words): A critical analysis of SLCN within the school context.
Practice analysis: (1,500 words): A critique of local policy and practice in joint working with pupils with SLCN.

Where indicated by your tutor, you may submit multimedia resources that you have produced within your applied practice as part of your final portfolio of evidence.

How is the module delivered?

  • Our courses are delivered through Campus Online, our unique provision for online learning.
  • Campus Online allows you to study at your own pace, without the need to travel, or commit to particular dates or times. Log in to access your study materials, contact your personal tutor for support, connect and network with other delegates and make use of the extensive resource library.
  • You can easily track your progress throughout the course and submit your work and evidence of assignments for feedback

Are you eligible?

You must hold an undergraduate degree to take this module.

You will need to be working in an educational setting for this module. If you aren’t currently working in an educational setting you will need written permission from a senior member of staff to regularly access a setting. We can show you the best way to do this, enabling you to carry out our learning activities in your chosen setting. As part of this process, you will also need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Visit GOV.UK for more information.

Are you based in an international setting?

This course is available online and can therefore be completed anywhere in the world. Please click here for advice on payment options and other information relevant to those studying outside of the UK.

How much does it cost?

We offer a flexible range of fees to suit your finances:

  • A one-off payment of £1,495 + VAT
  • Three instalments of £523 + VAT
  • Ten instalments of £162 + VAT

For further information please visit the payment FAQ page found here.

Speak to us (01273 358080) or make a booking.

When does the course start?

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

The next cohort begins on 15 May 2024. Book and enrol before 15 May 2024 to join our next cohort.

Please note: as it takes time to process your application and payment, we strongly recommend to register as soon as possible, so that you don’t miss the next intake.

How long does it take to complete the course?

The duration of this module is up to one year.

We do understand, however, that circumstances can arise that could prevent the course being completed in this time period. If this is the case, an extension can be arranged in conjunction with the admin team and your tutor.

Module Leader

Janet Stevens

Janet Stevens is an experienced speech and language therapist. She has worked extensively with the NHS and is also an independent practitioner.

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