1. …Coventry! Proud to support the National Year of Communication ‘Hello’ Launch Leicester 10 th February 2011

2. Why should we get involved? We know the importance of good speech, language and communication skills We know the impact of poor communication skills We know that there is a lot of support available and professionals parents and carers need to be made aware of it. We need to work together. It is an opportunity to get the work embedded in the ‘Children’s Plan’ Speech, Language and Communication is a priority area.

3. ‘Hello’ – This is an opportunity Highlight aspects of our work Look at organising and doing things differently to help children overcome their barriers to learning Nurture partnership working

4. Partners Local Authority o Early Years Teams o Children’s Centres Early Years Settings o Education and Learning Services o Excellence in Cities – Language Acquisition and Competence Strand o Speech and Language Enhanced Resource o Minority Group Support Service o Family Learning Service o Schools

5. Partners Coventry Community Health Services o Speech and Language Therapy Service Parents and Carers Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust National Bodies o Communication Trust o ICan o National Literacy Trust

6. Initiatives – Early Years Coventry Talk Now (www.coventrytalknow.co.uk) Listen, Think, Talk Every Child a Talker Chatter Cards Phonic Fun Concept Tool Can’t Listen, Won’t Listen

7. Initiatives Provision Map Debating Digital Awards Overcoming Barriers to Learning “Including Me” – theme for annual inclusion conference Achievement for All and IDP Partners in Literacy (National Literacy Trust) Secondary Talk (ICan) Training – CPD for teachers and support staff Resources

8. Overcoming Barriers to Learning “To ensure that the whole community, including students, parents, providers and local agencies, aspire to improve students’ life chances through educational achievement and a relentless focus on overcoming barriers to learning”

9. Overcoming Barriers to Learning Five interrelated areas Secure Tracking and Transition Engaging Provision Supportive Relationships Effective Multi-disciplinary Working Aligned Capital Investment Ten strands one of which is o Communication Skills within Engaging Provision  Also important element of other strands  initiative links in well with our ‘Hello’ priorities

10. ‘ Hello’ Priorities Improving the awareness of existing initiatives resources and support available for parents, carers and professionals. Training the workforce Develop the communication strand of Overcoming Barriers to Learning Further the development of the strategy for the developing communication skills in the early years

11. ‘Hello’ Priorities Speech and Language Therapy Services redesign to make the Coventry offer to children with SLCN clearer and more accessible Embedding the re-designed specialist speech and language enhanced resources provision in primary schools Take the ‘Partners in Literacy’ project forward Celebrate and share

12. ‘Hello’ – the way forward Have we the capacity? Created an advocates group Make it part of what we are doing, not in addition to. Awareness through newsletters Branding projects, events and resources where appropriate

13. It will be what we make of it …………. I

14. Contact Rick Leigh Rick.leigh@coventry.gov.uk