Speech, Language and Communication Needs – Skills & Knowledge

Practise 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.

Please note

From September 2018 our Application & Reflection modules have been replaced by a new 30-credit complimentary module called Evidence and Pedagogy for Inclusion. The individual Application and Reflection modules are no longer available. If you are booking a Skills & Knowledge module and wish to also register for an Application & Reflection module please select Evidence and Pedagogy for Inclusion on the booking form.

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

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

Develop professional expertise

• Understand the nature and range of SLCN and its various impacts on the pupil.
• Appreciate the speech, language and communication development of children and young people and its relationship to learning, social, emotional behaviour and development.
• Gain confidence and experience in the skillsets that will enable you to identify, assess and profile needs.
• Critically evaluate your own practice.
• 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.

Add real value to your school

• Bring expertise in-school and save money.
• Develop practical skills_ tutored by experienced professionals.
• Access a wealth of practical resources, academic research, and interactive materials to support you.
• Develop your confidence to support the most vulnerable and complex children in your school effectively.

Learn on the job

• Harness your day-to-day professional experience and work with your tutor to develop your skills.
• Theories, reflection and activities will help you to explore aspects of your own and others’ practice.

Engage with flexible e-learning

• Study online and integrate your learning into your working day.
• Work at a time and pace that suits you.
• Take part in a flexible module that draws on a broad range of learning tasks and practical experience.
• Work closely with your peers and dedicated tutors online.
• Experience mentoring and work placements that really complement your learning.
• Access our sophisticated online learning platform and utilise the latest technologies: video and multimedia content, case studies and problem-based scenarios, directed reading, structured learning logs, online discussion, online questionnaires, peer evaluation, student forum and webinars (with tutors and guest lecturers).

Accrue credits towards your MEd

• Attain 30 Masters-level (M-level) credits when you successfully complete this module.
• We offer an unrivaled range of follow-on, practice-led SEND courses that count towards your MEd.
• Get 180 credits and the MEd is yours.

Connect with your peers

• Obtain exclusive access to Campus Online^TM.
• Interact with your peers using our advanced learning platform and our unique student forum.

We will ensure that you never feel lonely or unsupported in your studies.

Liaise with experienced tutors

• Enjoy dedicated specialist support from a broad range of experienced tutors.
• Work with a learning coach, professional tutor and receive dedicated support from the tutor team – made up of experienced SENCOs/SEN consultants/educational psychologists (EPs).

Our SENCOs and EPs know the education sector inside out.

Choose a start date that suits you

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

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

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.

You will need to produce:

• Critical analysis one: Write an essay discussing the role of speech, language and communication development in your educational setting (3,000 words).
• Critical analysis two: Produce one piece on Speech Language and Communication Needs within an educational context (1,500 words) and a separate analysis of local policy and practice in joint working with pupils with SLCN (1,500 words).

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.

• You will develop your professional knowledge and understanding through practice.
• Campus Online^TM will support you with content that complements your learning every step of the way.
• Study with some of the finest practitioners around and engage with outstanding content and practical activities that truly enhance your professional development.

Do you have an undergraduate degree?

You will need an undergraduate degree to take this module.

Already working in an education setting?

You will get the most out of this module if you work in an education setting with children, young people or adults.

Or do you require access to an education setting?

You will need to get written permission from a senior member of staff to regularly access a setting. We will show you the best way to do this, enabling you to carry out our learning activities in your chosen setting.

Please note

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.

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.

Cohorts begin in January, May, or September.

The next cohort begins on 15 January 2024. Book and enrol before 15 January 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.

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.