Self Assessment

Speech, language, and communication are crucial for building strong foundations. Around 1 in 10 children have speech, language and communication needs, and everyone has a responsibility to identify and help children who are struggling. Take our short self-assessment now to see how you could build your skills to support children in your role.

This short self-assessment is aimed at professionals working with children regularly. It provides an indicative result of where you might need to undertake professional development opportunities to support children in your care. To obtain a more detailed understanding of your professional development needs, we recommend The Communication Trust’s Speech, Language and Communication Framework (SLCF).

Answer 10 simple questions using the following scale, then press submit to see your results.

Mini self-assessment for Professionals

Welcome to your Mini self-assessment for Professionals

1. How confident would you feel if a colleague asked you to describe in detail the meaning of 'speech', 'language', and 'communication'?
This online short course from The Communication Trust / ICAN is free, and a great place to start learning about children's speech, language & communication development. You may also wish to consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Take your understanding further by reading through Afasic's free professional resources on the different types and presentations of SLCNs.
Fantastic! To further embed your knowledge, try reading through our recommended academic literature.
2. How confident would you be knowing what to do if a child in your care appeared to be behind others in their age group with their speech, language or communication skills?
The help sheet 'Identifying children & young people with SLCN' outlines three simple steps to help you identify children who might have SLCN, with relevant signposting and resources to help you.

You should also consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
As a useful prompt, the help sheet 'Identifying children & young people with SLCN' outlines three simple steps to help you identify children who might have SLCN, with relevant signposting and resources to help you.
Great! Keep up the good work. You could further cement your knowledge by reading through 'Flying Start', which synthesises some of the key literature with guidance on SLCN support.
3. How confident would you be identifying whether a child who speaks English as a second language has speech, language and communication needs?
Start by reading through this short help sheet from ICAN, which answers several common questions about supporting children who speak English as a second language. For more detailed guidance, have a read through the report 'Supporting Children learning English as an additional language'. SLC training delivered by Local Authorities in South Yorkshire involves a focus on EAL, so you should consider taking part. Check what training is available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Supporting children who speak English as a second language with their SLC development is a key regional priority. Have a read through the report 'Supporting Children learning English as an additional language' to further cement your understanding.
Brilliant! Supporting children who speak English as a second language with their SLC development is one of our region's top priorities. You could further develop your understanding by reviewing our recommended research page, which includes links to research around EAL.
4. How confident would you be describing to a parent the ways in which speech, language and communication needs can impact on behaviour or emotional development?
The 'Talking About a Generation' Report from ICAN examines the impact of speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) on health and wellbeing, educational progress and employability beyond school. As a first step, have a read through this report to understand the types of impacts SCLN can have on a child. You should also consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Good. To further develop your confidence, watch the Communication Trust and AFASIC 's video to support practitioners working with children on how to raise initial concerns about a child or young person’s speech, language and communication development with parents / carers.
Awesome! The 'Flying Start' report investigates links between SLCN and behaviour, offending & mental health in later life. Have a read through and investigate the references to deepen your knowledge.
5. How confident are you in ensuring your working environment supports speech, language and communication development of the children you work with?
Try reading through The Communication Trust / ICAN's Early Years Commitment Resources. These tools provide simple ways to develop whole setting approaches to supporting communication in early years provision. You may find ICAN's help sheet 'Creating a communication supportive environment' a helpful starting point.
Try reading through the 'Communication Supporting Classroom Observation Tool' from ICAN / The Communication Trust in your setting. The tool is designed to promote communication friendly environments, and may help you to identify areas of improvement.
Keep up the great work! Why not ask a colleague to help you complete the 'Communication Supporting Classroom Observation Tool' from ICAN / The Communication Trust? The tool is designed to promote communication friendly environments, and may help you to identify how you could do even better.
6. How confident would you feel identifying strategies in your everyday practice to support children with an identified speech, language and communication needs?
As a first step, try reading though ICAN's factsheets. You may also wish to consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Good. To build your confidence further, have a read through some of the strategies in 'Every Child a Talker'.
Wonderful! Why not read through the Early Intervention Foundation's 'Closing the Word Gap' case studies to learn from local authorities who have seen success in reducing the early language gap between disadvantaged children and their peers.
7. How confident do you feel knowing how to access professional development opportunities to support the children you work with?
This online short course from The Communication Trust / ICAN is free, and a great place to start learning about children's speech, language & communication development. You may also wish to consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Stay up-to-date with training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available, and how to get involved, here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
That's tremendous! However, remember that your professional development never stops... Stay up-to-date on the latest training opportunities in your area here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
8. How confident would you feel involving a child in discussions about the care and support that they may need?
Start by reading this report from ICAN & the University of the West of England explores the involvement of children & young people with SLCN and their families in decision making. You may also wish to consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
This report from ICAN & the University of the West of England explores the involvement of children & young people with SLCN and their families in decision making. Have a read through to further your understanding.
Excellent! Further deepen your knowledge of involving children in decision making by reading this qualitative research report.
9. How confident are you that you would know which other professionals to involve to support children with speech, language and communication needs?
For guidance on how and when to involve other professionals in supporting children with SLCN, take a look at ICAN's referrals resources. You may also wish to consider taking part in training organised by your Local Authority. You can check what training may be available here: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Good! You should stay up-to-date with guidance from your Local Authority using the following links: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
Marvellous! You should stay up-to-date with guidance from your Local Authority using the following links: Barnsley | Doncaster | Rotherham | Sheffield
10. How confident would you feel signposting parents/carers to voluntary or public sector agencies that can support their child's speech, language and communication development?
Try watching the Communication Trust and AFASIC's video to support practitioners working with children on how to raise initial concerns about a child or young person’s speech, language and communication development with their parents.
Further develop your confidence by watching the Communication Trust and AFASIC's video to support practitioners working with children on how to raise initial concerns about a child or young person’s speech, language and communication development with parents / carers.
Amazing! There are lots of helpful resources out there to support parents & carers that you can signpost to. Did you know that you can also direct parents & carers to this website for helpful tips and advice.

Find training opportunities

Once you have completed the self-assessment, you can use the results to find professional development opportunities taking place locally. Have a look at the pages below for the latest training opportunities.

Barnsley

Barnsley

Training opportunities in Barnsley.

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Doncaster

Doncaster

Training opportunities in Doncaster.

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Rotherham

Rotherham

Training opportunities in Rotherham.

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Sheffield

Sheffield

Training opportunities in Sheffield.

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