Speaking, listening, and getting on together

Gloucestershire EPS see communication and language skills as fundamental to learning, wellbeing, relationships, and future opportunities. Through this area of work, we support children and young people to  communicate, belong, and thrive.

We work alongside schools, settings, professionals, parents and carers to:

Build knowledge, confidence and skills across the children's workforce and within families.

Promote language-rich, developmentally appropriate and inclusive environments.

Strengthen understanding of speech, language, communication and social interaction as foundations for learning and wellbeing.

Support children and young people who experience communication or interaction difficulties, including those who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL).

Promote understanding, accessibility and inclusion for children and young people with social communication differences.

Encourage resilience, participation and high aspirations for all. 

Our work reflects the national focus on inclusion, early intervention and building capacity within mainstream settings. We use evidence-informed approaches, including ELKLAN, to help practitioners create communication-friendly environments and develop effective support for children and young people. 

We explore topics such as:

♦  Language as a tool for learning, thinking, self-expression and relationships

♦  How communication skills develop across childhood and adolescence

♦  Supporting children and young people who speak English as an Additional Language (EAL)

♦  Understanding and responding to speech, language, communication and social interaction needs

♦  Creating environments where children and young people can communicate, belong, and succeed

See below for more on our initiatives:

• ELKLAN  ~  More information on this language specific training available to all Gloucestershire schools  ELKLAN  

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