iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Are you a dedicated professional in #Cybersecurity, #AI or #Finance? We need you!💡 We're recruiting two new Trustees to join our incredible Board. Hear more about the opportunity directly from Andrew Warren, one of our valued Trustees. Learn more and apply here▶️ lnkd.in/eX6kNbRZ

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Hundreds of thousands of young people with speech and language challenges, like Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), are being locked out of opportunities to work. Internships for SEND students could change this – but only if the missing million can access them. bit.ly/4gja4jY

inews.co.uk

The jobs SEND school-leavers could be offered to keep them off benefits

SEND pupils could be offered more opportunities in hospitality, healthcare and construction industries

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Any pathways into work for young people with SEND must include the 1.3 million children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder. Why aren't the Missing million with DLD even mentioned?

theguardian.com

Turbocharge special needs internships to help tackle UK youth jobs crisis, says Milburn

Exclusive: Government review led by former minister to recommend huge expansion of onsite schemes for those who need support

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

A new Government marks a fresh start, but it won't mean much if the 1.3M children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) continue to be ignored in SEND reform. Email @andyburnham.bsky.social and @lucympowell.bsky.social and demand an apology. 📩 bit.ly/4fb6r07

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

The pathways into work outlined by Andy Burnham today must include a focus on speech and language skills. Employers say communication skills are crucial for entry-level jobs, yet a record number of young people are struggling to talk and understand words. Read the full announcement here⬇️

bbc.co.uk

Schools to offer technical subjects to pupils from age 14, Burnham says

The government wants pupils to take courses like AI and manufacturing which are linked to local jobs.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Abraz is just one of the 1.3 million children and young people who have been failed by the system. We can’t let another generation lose out on vital support. 📩 Email the Prime Minister and Education Secretary today. Demand an apology and help find the missing million: bit.ly/4fb6r07

The image displays a text quote attributed to "Abraz" expressing an experience of being expelled due to undiagnosed Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). The highlighted text mentions that earlier recognition of the disorder might have avoided the expulsion, leading to better education. A red megaphone icon is in the bottom left corner, and the text "Demand an apology now" is at the bottom of the image.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

This is great news! Adaptive teaching is a step towards making education more inclusive. We really hope that this will include training to support children with speech and language challenges too, seeing as a third of children with SEND struggle to talk and understand words! bit.ly/4yypkS9

tes.com

Key teacher training funding now conditional on SEND content

The intensive training and practice grant will only be given to training providers that tailor their content to supporting pupils with SEND and adaptive teaching

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Our new prime minister needs to know that the 1.3 million children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) can’t be ignored again. Email @andyburnham.bsky.social to demand an apology and help him find the missing million: bit.ly/4fb6r07

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

“These children have been misunderstood, underdiagnosed and denied support for years."~ Jane Harris, CEO It’s time for a different approach. We’re calling on @andyburnham.bsky.social to include the 1.3 million children with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) in the changes to SEND education.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

We want @andyburnham.bsky.social to apologise to the 1.3 million children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder who have been failed by the system. Will you email our new prime minister, today, asking him to apologise, and help him find the missing million? 📩 bit.ly/4fb6r07

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Congratulations @lucympowell.bsky.social and @yvettecooper-mp.bsky.social on your new roles in Government!👏 We look forward to working with you to prioritise support for the 1 in 5 children with speech and language challenges. bit.ly/4ysyQ9D

bit.ly

Lucy Powell appointed as education secretary

Labour's deputy leader replaces Bridget Phillipson at the Department for Education

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Lately, we’ve been asking the Government to include children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder in their SEND reforms. 📢But the missing million with DLD still risk being ignored! Email our new prime minister today, asking him to apologise, and help him find the missing million.📩

A pink speech bubble with eyes is on a yellow background. It has an arrow pointing to a larger speech bubble with text reading: "Don't let a change in government change the conversation. Let's make it hard for Andy Burnham to ignore the missing million." The name "Andy Burnham" is highlighted in red.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Our new Prime Minister must apologise to the 1.3 million children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) who have been neglected by successive governments and absent from political debate.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

The Young People's Committee event was amazing! 💫 Thank you to @thurrockjen.bsky.social for chairing, @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social, @helenhayes.bsky.social and @saqibbhattimp.bsky.social for joining the panel, and to the young advocates and the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance.

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NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Today at parliament some real work happened too. Children and young people with SLCN got to ask MPs questions. Several started with 'I have DLD'. Advocating for themselves. Compared to where we were a few years ago this is incredible. They are the future! #DevLangDis

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

📢 Calling all early childcare professionals! Our new training webinar, Talking with babies, launches on 30th June. Sign up now for the chance to attend this webinar for just £5. Designed for childcare professionals who work with babies aged 0 to 12 months. Book your place >> bit.ly/43JVBaY

Adult and baby with text advertising new training webinar, Talking with babies.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

"We at Speech and Language UK see these children every day – and too often, even those of us working closely with them don’t truly understand what it feels like to live in a world where you struggle to be understood.” ~ Carol Payne, Deputy CEO Read the full article here>>https://bit.ly/4ej3IBl

nurseryworld.co.uk

Charity launches 24 hours silence challenge in solidarity with the 2 million children who struggle talking - Nursery World

Individuals and workplaces across the country are being challenged to stay silent for 24 hours in solidarity with the 2 million children in the UK with speec...

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

We’re taking on The Big Silence today with many others across the nation! 🤫🌟 If you’re up for the challenge, it’s not too late to join us! Click here to read why your support is needed and sign up using the link our comments>>https://bit.ly/3SPr5Kf

speechandlanguage.org.uk

Speech and Language UK launches The Big Silence for the two million children with speech and language challenges

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

We're delighted to be supporting the Department for Education's expanded Early Years Stronger Practice Hub programme! We'll be providing training to 36 Early Language Leads across England to help make sure evidence-based early language support reaches more early years settings and more children.🌟

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Congratulations @mikeys-wish.bsky.social on your MBE!🏅 It's great to see speech and language therapy recognised, which will help the two million children struggling to talk and understand words get the support they deserve!

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NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Two children in every UK classroom have Developmental Language Disorder. Yet most people have never heard of it. We’re proud to launch #VoicesForDLD, a movement making sure people with DLD are understood, supported and heard. Join us and demand change > speechandlanguage.org.uk/get-involved...

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

"This is a really important and welcome step towards making mainstream schools more inclusive... However, without enough speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and specialist teachers, these ambitions risk falling short." Read our response to the Experts at Hand announcement >>

speechandlanguage.org.uk

Speech and Language UK responds to Department for Education’s new Experts at Hand service

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

🙌🙌🙌 This is so promising! We've been campaigning really hard for speech and language support – especially support for Developmental Language Disorder – to be at the heart of SEND reforms, and it's great to see Professor Courtenay Norbury join the expert panel that will plan these changes.

gov.uk

Local areas prepare new Experts at Hand teams

Local areas to begin increasing access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists from September 2026

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Communication skills are essential for learning, confidence and employability. Support for speech and language challenges must be central to the Government's plans to combat the NEET crisis and prevent young people being locked out of future opportunities. Our full response👉 bit.ly/4dBg6w3

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

“We have a system that is failing our children, but any replacement must deliver positive outcomes, not just headlines.” MP Gideon Amos urges the Government to go beyond inclusion on paper in their overhaul of SEND. Demand action from your local MP here!📩 bit.ly/4cwvHLP

speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk

Email your MP and help them find the missing million

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NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Developed by people with DLD and their families and launched in 2023, the UK's vision for DLD continues to guide the collaborative work conducted by NAPLIC together with @afasic.bsky.social, @speechandlanguk.bsky.social & Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists #DevLangDis

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

'Scarlett is in year five at school now and she has never had any support for her selective mutism' No child struggling to talk and understand words should wait months or years for help. Specialist support must be accessible to all children who need it. Full article⬇️

bbc.co.uk

Sussex parents of children with selective mutism want more support

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder which stops a person being able to speak in some situations.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Looking for new ways to support speech and language development? Our new Secondary Bundle is designed to give you the skills and confidence to help older children and young people to thrive in secondary school, preparing them for their next steps in life. 💡 Start learning >> bit.ly/4uIq2dh

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

"He'd walk around the house humming, tapping his chest and [he] was trying to get the words out, but they wouldn't come." Rishi, one half of our favourite father-son duo, shared how music has helped his son Aryan communicate. Catch them on BBC West Midlands - 6:30pm today!✨ bbc.in/3PIN3xm

bbc.in

Song and an Essington boy's communication journey

A child diagnosed with a speech and language delay is now performing songs at youth festivals.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

The Government announced in 2025 that they will introduce oracy frameworks for schools.🙌 To help you give your pupils the foundations, we have a range of tools and resources on our website>>https://bit.ly/4d6pGaa

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Thank you Cllr. Charli Thompson for mentioning the 1.3 million children with Developmental Language Disorder across the country who must be included in the changes to the SEND system. We won't stop speaking up until every child with speech and language challenges is part of the conversation! 📢

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Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) @smkcampaigners.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

And last but not least: Making Oracy Inclusive (by @speechandlanguk.bsky.social) smk.org.uk/awards_nomin...

smk.org.uk

Making Oracy Inclusive < Sheila McKechnie Foundation

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Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) @smkcampaigners.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Change happens when voices are amplified. Open this thread to hear about @survivinguniversal.bsky.social, Reforming the Mental Health Act 1983 (by @article39.bsky.social), and Making Oracy Inclusive (by @speechandlanguk.bsky.social). smk.org.uk/what-we-do/c...

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

“Today’s King’s Speech pledge to reform the special education needs system is welcome - but warm words will not fix a system young people and families know is broken." 👉See our full response to the King's Speech >> bit.ly/3R69pcC

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

It’s our chance to put children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder and Childhood Apraxia of Speech at the heart of SEND reforms. Will you use your voice to amplify theirs? Email your MP now >> speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/th…

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

With the right support, Reece went from struggling with speech and language to winning a national award.⭐ Two million children in the UK face speech and language challenges, and we need your help to change this! 📢Fill in the SEND consultation before it closes in six days🚨>>https://bit.ly/49tHKbP

speechandlanguage.org.uk

How to complete the SEND consultation - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

Our step-by-step guide to making your voice heard

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Kids @kidscharity.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Too many disabled young people are being let down by a broken education system. Only 28% say they get the right support. That means missing out on learning, friendships, and inclusion. This must change. Have your say in the SEND reform consultation: consult.education.gov.uk/send-strateg...

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

1.3 million children have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), yet the Government have left them out of their plans for SEND reform. But with your help, we can change this!🤝 Email your MP today to help them find the missing million>>https://bit.ly/4cwvHLP

The image features a quote with a turquoise background. The text reads: "For too long DLD has been the Cinderella of special needs — it's just as common as autism or dyslexia, but lack of recognition means children aren't getting the help they need." Below the quote, it attributes Dorothy Bishop as a leading voice in DLD.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Today's TES article warns that the new SEND packages could risk leaving children without the specialist support they need. With 30% of children with SEND having speech and language challenges, we believe a specialist package specifically for speech and language is essential. Do you agree?

tes.com

Schools face 'impossible' SEND support package plans, experts warn

'Bizarre' government proposals risk lumping together pupils with vastly different needs, and stripping out mental health support, leaders tell Tes

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Have you heard about our Primary Bundle? This course is designed to help you spot and support speech, language and communication in the primary years.📚 Subscribe for just £48 including VAT today👇 bit.ly/3R7ozOI

Teacher and child working together at a desk, looking at a worksheet with a text overlay: 'Help every child find their voice. Start making a difference today with the Primary Bundle.'

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"Rather than presenting research abstracts or summaries, the database is a live tool that shows how the evidence has been weighed, where it is lacking and what questions to ask." Great to see our What Works database included here.👏 Read more and access the tool⬇️

tes.com

Why teachers need a better guide to speech and language support

With greater policy focus on both oracy and inclusion, speech, language and communication needs are under the spotlight, says Megan Dixon, and a free database can offer schools support

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) affects a shocking 1.3 million children and young people across the country. Yet they remain underdiagnosed, underrecognised, and under-supported. Will you email your MP today and help them find the missing million?📩🔎 bit.ly/4cwvHLP

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Anyone can request an assessment with us: families, schools, local authorities, and professionals. Whether you’re seeking advice to support a child in school, exploring an EHCP, or considering if Meath School in Surrey could be the right fit, we’re here to help. Learn more: bit.ly/49cuyZE

bit.ly

The Bill Harrison Assessment Centre in Surrey  - Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives

Every year, thousands of school and early years staff put speech and language first using our innovative tools and training programmes.

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Thanks to Jen Craft MP for highlighting the 1.3M children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD)! Right now, children and young people with DLD are being left behind in the SEND reform plans. Will you email your MP and help them find the missing million? bit.ly/48dJkhC

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

"If ministers are serious about inclusion, they must stop leaving children with DLD hidden inside broad language and instead make sure they are clearly recognised and properly designed for before the [SEND] consultation closes." Our new report was featured on @learningdisability.bsky.social📢

speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk

Email your MP and help them find the missing million

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

It’s our chance to put children and young people with Developmental Language Disorder at the heart of SEND reforms. Will you use your voice to amplify theirs? >> speechandlanguage.eaction.org.uk/the-missing-...

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Speech and Language UK @speechandlanguk.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

The Government’s failed to recognise the 1.3 million young people with Developmental Language Disorder in its SEND reforms. That’s two in every 30 children… Missing. Forgotten. Left behind. You have the power to change this. Demand action from your local MP now!👇 bit.ly/4cwvHLP

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