Management Information Sheet
Speech and Language Therapy - the 'Graduated Approach' and Education Health and Care Plans
Children with suspected speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) should be supported using a graduated approach: Assess, Plan, Do and Review.
Cycle one of the graduated approach uses school-based interventions and strategies to support children with SLCN,which can be undertaken without the need for a speech and language therapy (SaLT) assessment. If these school based interventions and strategies are tried through cycle one of the graduated approach and progress is not made, a referral for speech language therapy advice or assessment may be appropriate.
Cycle two of the graduated approach refers to any speech and language therapy advice or intervention. The Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) service is open to all children - it is not just for children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Please note: It is important not to leave SaLT referrals until the point of an EHCP referral because the assessment will take much longer to complete.
More information and additional links can be found on the Norfolk County Council web page How to support children with speech, language and communication needs.