Practitioner Agreement 11-18s SLCN Digital Support Tool
- This is a needs-led support tool to help you identify strategies for young people with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN). It does not replace a clinical assessment.
- Current or recent specialist advice from a Speech and Language Therapist always takes precedence over this tool.
- Some young people's communication difficulties are connected to difficult experiences. Strategies work best when delivered within a relationship of safety and trust.
- Where possible, involve the young person in choosing and reviewing any strategy you use.
- Recommendations rely on your accurate observations of the young person.
- You are responsible for implementing strategies and reviewing their impact.
- Young people with significant or complex SLCN require specialist assessment and intervention planning.
🔒 This tool does not collect, store or transmit any personal data. No information about you or the young people you support is recorded by this tool.
How would you like to proceed?
You can go straight to the support tool, or use the profiler to help identify the most relevant areas first.
Context & Capacity
These two questions help tailor the suggestions to your setting.
1. Is there staff capacity to deliver 1:1 or small group work with this young person?
2. Is the young person currently willing to engage in support outside the classroom?
What are you observing?
Tick everything that applies to this young person. The profiler will identify the most relevant areas to focus on.
Suggested Priority Areas
Based on your responses, the tool has identified the most relevant areas below. Select one to go straight to it, or use the full menu to choose your own.
Specialist Professional Involvement
Is this young person currently receiving specialist support for their speech, language or communication needs — for example, from a Speech and Language Therapist or Educational Psychologist?
Specialist Support Already in Place
Please check before proceeding
This tool is not designed to be used if the young person already has specialist support and advice for their communication — for example, from a Speech and Language Therapist. Using it without checking could duplicate or conflict with existing advice.
Speak to your SEND lead for further guidance. Check whether the young person already has specialist advice in place, and make sure any strategies you use are consistent with that advice.
Selective Mutism — Initial Check
Please confirm the nature of the difficulty before proceeding.
Did the difficulty speaking start suddenly — for example following a specific event — or has it been an ongoing pattern in specific social situations?
Important — Please Read
This may not be Selective Mutism
You have indicated that the difficulty speaking started suddenly or following a specific event. This is different from Selective Mutism, which develops gradually as a social anxiety response in specific situations.
Sudden and unexpected loss of speech across all situations may be a sign of something that requires specialist investigation. Do not use this tool in this situation.
Recommended next steps:
- Speak to your SEND lead
- Consider involving your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) if there are welfare concerns
- Consider referral to a specialist such as a Speech and Language Therapist or Educational Psychologist
- Advise the family to consult their GP