28 March 2008
Children's speech and language needs should be given higher priority by both health and education services, a government-commissioned review has said.
The review, chaired by Conservative MP John Bercow, who also chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Speech and Language Difficulties, issued its interim findings on March 20.
It called for earlier identification of problems and better joint working between agencies. Services should also be easier to access and a continuous presence in young people's lives.
Presenting his interim findings, Bercow said: 'Although there are some skilled professionals and very good facilities, the overall position is highly unsatisfactory. Access to information and services is often poor, services themselves are very mixed, continuity across the age range is lacking, effective joint working between the health and education services is rare and there is something of a postcode lottery across the country.
'Above all, local commissioners attach a low priority to the subject and this must change.'
The government commissioned the Bercow Review in September 2007. It aims to improve services for children and young people with language and communication difficulties, including stammering and speech problems related to other disabilities, such as autism and cerebral palsy. One in ten children – an estimated 1.2 million across the UK – has a communication disability.
Children's, Schools and Families Secretary Ed Balls and Health Secretary Alan Johnson welcomed Bercow's findings. Johnson said it was 'essential' that health and other agencies worked well together.
The health secretary said: 'This review will support commissioners in their role of identifying local need and purchasing appropriate services to ensure that every child who needs support with their communication gets it when they need it.'
There was also a welcome from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Chief executive Kamini Gadhok praised the thoroughness of the review.
'Over the coming months we hope to work with John Bercow and the government to help develop concrete solutions to meet children's speech, language and communication needs in the future,' she said.
Brian Lightman, president of the Association of School and College Leaders, agreed that services in many areas were not joined up. 'Some schools are having real difficulty accessing support services for vulnerable children. Heads and teachers are left feeling helpless and in some cases desperately concerned,' he said.
The Bercow Review's final report is due out in July.
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