1. Speech, Language and Communication Therapy Action Plan: Improving Services for Children and Young People (2011/12-2012/13) Mary Emerson AHP Consultant Project Lead Public Health Agency

2. Context The action plan was developed by a multi- agency project team, established by DHSSPS. The implementation of this action plan is led by the Public Health Agency and Health and Social Care Board through the Project Implementation Team

3. Context of Implementation Implementation is underway and is due to finish March 2013. The action plan and its implementation are in line with current strategic direction Partnership working is key

4. Aim That all children and young people, at risk of or presenting with speech, language or communication needs, will be able to benefit from timely support and integrated services that best meet their needs. We recognise the need for Government departments and agencies to work together in a joined-up manner and to put in place real service improvements across community, health and education settings.

5. Purpose of the action plan To focus on clinical and social care services for children and young people with potential speech, language and communication difficulties. In this context it will also be cognisant of the difficulties experienced in the transition from childhood to adulthood. The Action Plan will consider the particular needs of children and young people in the following groups: 0-4 years 4-11 years 11-18years 18-21 years (transition) Children and young people in the Youth Justice System

6. Project Structure Project Team Chaired by Michelle Tennyson, The Assistant Director of Allied Health Professionals and Personal and Public Involvement, Public Health Agency. Membership includes Project Lead and Project Support Manager (Public Health Agency), Health and Social Care Board, HSC Trust SLT Heads of Service, HSC Trust AHP Leads, Education Colleagues and input from Patient and Client Council. Other members are invited as necessary.

7. Project Structure Work Streams A number of work streams have been set up from the Implementation Project Team to implement, review and monitor specific actions within the agreed Action Plan. These Task and Finish Groups are multiprofessional and multiagency where appropriate

8. Scope of Project Implementation Team To oversee the implementation of the regionally agreed Speech, Language and Communication Therapy Action Plan: Improving Services for Children and Young People (2011/12-2012/13) and monitor same. To promote safe and effective evidence based practice To drive improvements for children and young people with Speech, Language and Communication Needs To secure a partnership approach with relevant colleagues in Education and Health and Social Care

9. Scope of Project Implementation Team To engage as appropriate with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Health and Social Care Board. The PHA provides regular updates to DHSSPS on the progress of the implementation. To ensure full engagement throughout with relevant Stakeholders, such as parents. To promote equality of opportunity, good relations and human rights.

10. Group Exercise

11. Progress The Action Plan is well underway with work completed or ongoing in all areas.

12. Some Key Achievements to Date SLT Information uploaded onto a central online resource for children and young people, parents and carers Development of a model to standardise provision of services to support speech, language and communication in SureStart Early development of speech, language and communication is being promoted through working with parents, through Healthy Child, Healthy Future (2010), The Framework for the Universal Child Health Promotion Programme for Northern Ireland

13. Some Key Achievements to Date The Parent Child Health record has been amended to promote earlier identification of child development concerns Speech and Language Guidelines for Health Visitors are in place, including referral guidance and training. Referral guidance for all school nurses has also been completed.

14. Some Key Achievements to Date All P1 children have a health appraisal on entry into primary schools, which reviews their Speech and Language, allowing for earlier identification and appropriate engagement. Evidence of service redesign to reflect a tiered approach has been collated

15. Work Ongoing Partnership Working with Education: Partnership working is vital to the successful implementation of the Action Plan Collaborative working is underway between Health and Education, with representation from both on the Project Team. Work is ongoing with Education on the most effective way to move forward on a number of actions such as to develop a partnership agreement which identifies respective responsibilities in the promotion of speech, language and communication development.

16. Work Ongoing Early Years Services Ongoing work to achieve the action that Providers of non- statutory early years services are aware of indicators of SLCNs in children and young people and how to refer to SLT for appropriate intervention. This is to be achieved through the HSC Trust registration and monitoring of these services. The HSCB are currently reviewing the registration and monitoring standards for non-statutory early years’ services.

17. Work Ongoing Workforce analysis Productivity, skill mix and service demand are being benchmarked regionally as part of the regional AHP Capacity/Demand Review

18. Work Ongoing Awareness- Raising Awareness raising materials being collated, agreed and disseminated to relevant Stakeholders eg Schools Health Visitors GPs

19. Engagement and Equality Meaningful engagement is vital throughout the implementation of the action plan. We will ensure engagement with key stakeholders including: children, young people, parents and carers speech and language therapists education The Implementation Project Team anticipates equality and human rights issues in any actions taken.

20. Group Exercise Your opportunity to get involved!

21. Next Steps Engagement with children and young people, Parents and carers Development of Audit Criteria to promote and enhance quality of service provision Develop standards for communication practices for parents and therapists in a school setting Development of a newsletter with updates

22. Any Questions? Mary Emerson Mary.emerson@hscni.net AHP Consultant Public Health Agency Southern Office Tower Hill Armagh BT61 9DR