Balanced System

The ability to communicate is recognised as the most fundamental life skill for children and young people and directly impacts on their ability to learn, make friends and their future life chances. When language difficulties are resolved by the age of five, children are more likely to start school with the tools to learn and to develop literacy leading to an increased likelihood of academic success and upon leaving high school they achieve as well as their peers. If SLC needs are undetected and unsupported through childhood, the life course implications can be significant; poor SLCN services will to poorer educational attainment, crime, higher service costs and higher costs to society. Therefore, having integrated, accessible pathways that focus on timely identification and intervention of SLC needs are critical to ensure that children and young people receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.