Advanced Practice in Speech Language and Communication Needs

Our Advanced Practice in Speech Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) programme has been designed to meet the needs of the education and applied sector workforce working with children, young people and families who have additional needs in Speech Language and Communication Needs.

Developed in partnership with the Leeds NHS speech and language service, this programme aims to enable you to transform your setting’s response and develop provision to meet the ever-changing needs and the challenges of all in education who have SLCN.

This course is subject to validation. You can still apply for this course while it is being approved.

This programme is highly innovative and allows you to gain credit for work-based learning allowing professionals who work full-time in settings such as schools or NHS speech language assistants who work in settings in the community, to access a vocational, work-related and practice-based course.

You'll develop expertise in developing early interventions in SLCN and will be able to progress in becoming a leader in this area of SEND. This may help you deliver high-quality interventions in your setting or lead on this aspect of SEND across your setting.

This would be useful for those wanting to progress in the SEND workforce in nurseries, schools, and colleges. For example, SENCo’s, SEN leads, aspirant SENCo’s, early years leads, key stage leads in primary schools, school leadership, Higher Level Teaching Assistants and teaching assistants and staff working in Alternative Provision or local authority educational services.

Those wanting to develop a career in Speech and Language Therapy as aspirant therapists, or assistants would also find this course very useful in supporting their career progression.

• An Honours degree (minimum 2.2) Alternatively, we will consider applicants who have equivalent work-based experience/relevant CPD portfolio. This will include: A detailed reference from your employer giving information about your role in a setting. A detailed CV showing expertise in education and/or SEND. A letter of support from yourself explaining how your expertise would allow you to access the course. You will need a letter of support from your workplace to agree to support the work in the work-based portfolios. An interview, if necessary, may take place. This course is only open to students who already have the right to live and study in the UK.