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Dr Susan Ebbels

@susanebbels.bsky.social
1.6K followers 732 following 180 posts

Research Speech & Language Therapist & Director @moorhouseinstitute.com. Created @shapecoding.com to help children with Developmental Language Disorder #DevLangDis. Views my own. www.moorhouseinstitute.com/dr-susan-ebbels www.shapecoding.com

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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 29/09/2026
Our training for schools is developed by highly specialist speech and language therapists and teachers with decades of experience. It's grounded in real-world practice and available on-demand. Find out more here www.moorhouseinstitute.com/dld-courses/ #SendTraining #DLD #DLDAwareness
A woman sits smiling at a laptop. Text reads On-demand DLD training for SENCOs, teachers, TAs and whole school staff
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Word Aware @wordaware.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
A petition for you to sign calling for better services for people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD). Started by Shelbi Annison, an adult with DLD. Please share with your non-BlueSky networks too #DevLangDis petition.parliament.uk/petitions/78...
petition.parliament.uk
Petition: Fund a national diagnostic DLD pathway & better services for people with DLD
Fund a national diagnostic Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) pathway and improved services for those with DLD. This pathway should raise awareness, understanding and inclusion of DLD, provide earl...
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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Very concerned by errors in definitions of key terms in new @departmentforedu.bsky.social training on speech, language & communication www.gov.uk/government/p... 1. speech sound disorders don't include voice quality (@sharynnemcleod.bsky.social & Graham Daniel 2017 misquoted)
gov.uk
SEND training for schools: speech, language and communication
Training materials on strategies for supporting pupils with speech, language and communication needs in mainstream schools.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Word Aware @wordaware.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Just found out that Edinburgh Castle will be lighting up purple on October 16th to raise awareness of Developmental Language Disorder. Write your letter today: radld.org/dld-awarenes... #DLDday @radld.bsky.social
radld.org
Light Up Events
Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Pedro De Bruyckere @thebandb.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
How strongly can language ability in childhood predict where people end up 30 years later? Quite strongly, according to a fascinating longitudinal study. But, as always, correlation is not causation. wp.me/p2nWPo-6cl
wp.me
https://wp.me/p2nWPo-6cl
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Sirpa Tarvainen @sirpatarvainen.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Which factors should be considered when defining the child’s level of need for intervention? How should this need be translated into a recommended intervention amount? journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
Defining the Level of Need and Total Intervention Time in Children's Speech and Language Therapy in Finland: Developing a Consensus-Based Guideline - Sirpa Tarvainen, Eva Ståhlberg-Forsén, Hanna Elo, Marita Haukilehto, , Guideline Work Group, Guideline Work Group, Stina Sundstedt, 2026
Background and Aims Speech and language therapy is essential for supporting the skills and participation of children with disorders that impair their ability to...
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Mr E @theniceman.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
What is it like to start learning a new language for the first time? whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com/2025/08/ling...
whoteacheslanguages.blogspot.com
Linguistics in Year 7
I have been meaning for a while to write a post on the idea of Linguistics in schools and its relation to language teaching. Or more precis...
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Genna White @glw1.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Invitation to Participate: Research on DLD and Mental Health Support for Children and Young People sheffield.questionpro.eu/a/TakeSurvey...
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
DamsonEd @damsoned.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
In his editorial on 6.7.2026 @jonsevers.bsky.social reflected on the new report published about white working class educational outcomes…. I am going to reflect back on this.. Long thread I have much experience (and years) of working in schools serving these populations successfully. 1/n
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 09/05/2026
Our very own @suemarr.bsky.social and Hilary, giving their talk on effective oracy strategies for students with #dld at the @naplic.bsky.social conference. Fantastic to be here at #naplic2026
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 30/06/2026
Thank you to all the MPs who came to the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance Young People's Committee last week, and for doing all you can to raise vital awareness - please share! @jessphillipsmp.bsky.social @saqibbhattimp.bsky.social @thurrockjen.bsky.social @helenhayes.bsky.social
Infographic DLD 1 in 14Signs of DLDSupporting DLD
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
David Benedict @eggsbened.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Nightmare for a friend of mine in London. Please share.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
EngagewithDLD @edldproject.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Happy Sunday E-DLD followers! Today's research study aimed to investigate how individuals with DLD manage their finances. Article summary: www.engage-dld.com/post/young-a... #DevLangDis #DLD #FinancialLiteracy #Finances
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Warwick Mansell @warwickmansell.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
New (open access) piece: The tragedy of the Milburn report is that it is right on education – but too late. Published here educationuncovered.co.uk/analysis/the... and here: open.substack.com/pub/warwickm...
educationuncovered.co.uk
Education Uncovered | Analysis| The tragedy of the Milburn report is that it is right on education – but too late
Yesterday’s findings on youth under-employment include serious criticisms of young people’s curriculum and assessment experiences at school. But this government have already reviewed these policy fiel...
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Chaminda Jayanetti @cjayanetti.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Face it, you've run out of things to say about the Labour leadership So here's my latest substack on the govt's plans to end the SEND crisis - and what it means to take parents' legal rights away Oh, and how it ties into the Labour leadership battle chamindajayanetti.substack.com/p/send-refor...
chamindajayanetti.substack.com
SEND reform – a tightrope without a safety net
It’s late afternoon on Friday and you’re done for the week. So read this instead
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
National Association of Special Schools (NASS) @nasschools.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The thought pieces focus on: > Specialist Provision Packages and their potential impact on special schools > Independent Special Schools and the SEND reform proposals > The role Government envisages for special schools
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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
For my more detailed thoughts on the SEND reform "areas of development" and "Specialist Provision Packages" see here: www.moorhouseinstitute.com/four-in-ten-...
moorhouseinstitute.com
Four in ten risk falling through SEND reform gaps - Moor House Research & Training Institute
Four in ten risk falling through SEND reform gaps
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
If you work with adults with DLD or aim to in the future, then join our network meeting next week. We'll be talking service development this time. Details and bookings www.naplic.org.uk/events/ Free to members: www.naplic.org.uk/membership/ #DevLangDis
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
Key messages from outgoing President Courtenay Norbury 1 we need to diagnose DLD. This builds awareness, research & services 2 language interventions give people with DLD more opportunities 3 use evidence based practice. And link what we do to what policy makers want to hear. #NAPLIC26
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
And a strong final message: small tweaks to lessons can have a big impact for learners with DLD #NAPLIC26
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Schools Week @schoolsweek.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
ICYMI: Almost nine in 10 applicants for state-funded training to become educational psychologists are now turned away, revealing a potential untapped pipeline for ministers’ 'experts at hand' service schoolsweek.co.uk/data-reveals-unta…
schoolsweek.co.uk
Data reveals untapped educational psychologist pipeline
Almost 9 in 10 applicants for funded training are being turned away
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Here is a picture of the mapping exercise I carried out (which shows that about 40% of children who currently meet criteria for EHCPs risk falling through the significant gaps):
Mapping from old SEND "areas of need" to new "areas of development" and "specialist provision packages".
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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Very pleased to have contributed to this important @tesmagazine.bsky.social article with my main concerns re #SENDreform. Please share. @nasschools.bsky.social @speechandlanguk.bsky.social @naplic.bsky.social @natspec.bsky.social @patoss-dyslexia.bsky.social @acamh.bsky.social @afasic.bsky.social
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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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Phew, the culmination of 2 years work learning Greek, adapting the system and then making the slides and workshops. It is been an illuminating experience in many ways.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Caroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist 🇦🇺🇳🇿🌻 @carolinebowen.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
🆓 PREPRINT of “There’s Going to Have to be a Culture Shift”: Associate and Full Professors’ Perceptions and Experiences Related to Open Science Practices in Communication Sciences and Disorders 🆓 HERE: osf.io/preprints/ed... 🥳 Thank you for the heads up, @micahehirsch.bsky.social 🦋 #bskySPEECHIES
osf.io
OSF
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
ASHA Journals @ashajournals.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
This study examined the diagnostic power and robustness of sentence repetition in distinguishing monolingual English-speaking children with developmental language disorder from typically developing children. on.asha.org/3P0Q9MF #DevLangDis
pubs.asha.org
The Utility and Robustness of Sentence Repetition as a Marker of Developmental Language Disorder: An Analysis of the Surrey Communication and Language in Education Study Project Data
Purpose: This study examined the diagnostic power and robustness of sentence repetition (SR) in distinguishing monolingual English-speaking child...
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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Such a helpful graphic.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Jon Severs @jonsevers.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
A very useful White Paper timeline here from the @tesmagazine.bsky.social team and our awesome designer Nige!
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Kyle Tormey @ktorm-social1.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Excl: DfE warned that workforce shortages could affect delivery of its £1.8bn “experts at hand” SEND plan by 2028. Professional bodies welcome the investment, but raise doubts on timeline of delivery. @tesmagazine.bsky.social www.tes.com/magazine/new...
tes.com
New ‘experts at hand’ won’t arrive fast enough, DfE warned
Professional bodies back bigger roles in schools for educational psychologists, occupational and speech and language therapists - but say they already struggle to meet demand
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Before Marion Downs, childhood hearing loss wasn’t caught until age 3+. #WorldHearingDay The 𝘔𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 advocated for early detection/intervention & established the first large-scale newborn screening program (1963), proving early intervention is the key to language. #WomenInSTEM
Color studio portrait of Marion Downs (1913–2014), renowned American audiologist and pioneer in pediatric audiology. She sits posed against a neutral gray background with a gentle smile. She has short, wavy silver-white hair, warm brown eyes, and light makeup with pink lipstick. She wears a light gray satin blouse with subtle polka dots, small gold earrings, a gold watch, and a wedding ring. Her left hand rests on her hip. She is dressed in a matching gray skirt, exuding poise and accomplishment in this formal seated pose. #WomensHistoryMonth #WHM #audiology
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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
I agree that this will be a severe challenge. It takes 2-4 years to train a Speech & Language Therapist. There already are insufficient SLTs for the jobs currently available. Plans may need to include consideration of how to encourage returners, improve retention & increase hours of part-timers.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
EngLangBlog @englangblog.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
This can't have been easy to write, but who better to do it than a linguist with Tourette’s? A really excellent piece. theconversation.com/im-a-linguis...
theconversation.com
I’m a linguist with Tourette’s – here’s what I want people to understand after Baftas controversy
I often feel that I live in my body alongside another person who wants to continually move and say things.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 25/02/2026
More funding, "Experts at Hand", collaboration with specialist settings and training for every teacher. You can read our initial response to the #schoolswhitepaper and #SENDReform consultation here: www.moorhouseinstitute.com/response-to-...
A picture of the Schools White paper on a blue background with the Moor House Research and Training Institute logo and the words "SEND Reforms"
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
NAPLIC @naplic.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Conference is coming and we have a stellar line up, including @suemarr.bsky.social and Hilary Nicoll (with correct spelling now!) from @moorhouseinstitute.com talking about oracy strategies for learners with DLD. www.naplic.org.uk/conference-p... www.naplic.org.uk/conferences/ #DevLangDis
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
National Association of Special Schools (NASS) @nasschools.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
We’re pleased to share this blog from Sue Marr, Specialist Teacher and Trainer at @moorhouseinstitute.com, explaining why oracy matters for learners with speech and language difficulties, including DLD, and what a stronger focus on spoken language could mean for inclusion and learning in schools.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 14/02/2026
The latest episode of the DLD Download is out now. Sue Marr is joined by very special guests to explore how adults with DLD navigate the workplace. www.moorhouseinstitute.com/the-dld-down... #DLD #devlangdis
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
KE Salisbury @kesalisbury.eurosky.social · 06/02/2026
Those chaffinches especially - what an extraordinary photograph 🤩 www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Week in wildlife: cuddling sloths, dazed iguanas and a very fat seal
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Peter Just @peterdjust.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
📢 'We must stop treating speech and language support as optional.' 🚨 Check out this great article by Jen Craft MP (@thurrockjen.bsky.social), in which she says Govt should see more speech and language therapy, 'not as an expense but as an upfront investment'. schoolsweek.co.uk/spending-on-...
schoolsweek.co.uk
Why government must invest in speech and language therapy
We can't close the gap if we allow communication skills to go unmet at this alarming scale
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
The Conversation UK @uk.theconversation.com · 20/01/2026
Children with DLD show problems across all their languages and need specialist help.
tcnv.link
Developmental language disorder can have life-long effects – and it’s easily missed in multilingual children
Children with DLD show problems across all their languages and need specialist help.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Crits For Cats, Inc. Cat Rescue @crits4cats.org · 10/01/2026
Here is a video of a frozen creek that had begun to thaw, and the water was flowing beneath the thin ice on top. I took this because it was soothing and wonderfully bloopy and I wanted to listen to it for hours. You are all welcome to enjoy it, too. Let your brain settle here and rest for a moment.
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Tes magazine @tesmagazine.bsky.social · 29/12/2025
Looking back at our most-read story this year: @mmulholland.bsky.social explores whether education, health and care plans are really to blame for the unsustainable rise of SEND in schools
tes.com
Are EHCPs really driving the SEND crisis?
Education, health and care plans have been blamed for an unsustainable rise in special educational needs in schools, but would scrapping or limiting these plans fix the problem?
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Tricia McCabe @tricmc.bsky.social · 14/12/2025
Community service announcement: we can diagnose #apraxia before three, and in fact in some cases we can treat or successfully prevent it using Babble Bootcamp from infancy
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 18/11/2025
Our brand new Podcast, The DLD DownLoaD, is now live! In our first episode, Ollie Riley shares his journey from Moor House School & College to the marathon starting line and beyond. open.spotify.com/episode/5nDf... #dlddownload #devlangdis @radld.bsky.social
open.spotify.com
Running the Extra Mile: Life with DLD
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 01/12/2025
We’ve spent some time digesting the recent Curriculum & Assessment Review and discussing at length its implications for students with DLD, which we'll share in a series of posts over the coming days. First up, oracy! short4url.site/30a3eb #CurriculumReview #OracyMatters #DLD #devlangdis
bit.ly
Why Oracy Matters for Learners with DLD – Insights from the Curriculum and Assessment Review - Moor House Research & Training Institute
The movement to recognise oracy as a fundamental building block and tool for learning has been steadily growing for a while now. With organisations like Voice 21 leading the way in advocating and advi...
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
ASHA Journals @ashajournals.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
#JSLHR researchers explore the often-complex dilemmas of diagnosing developmental language disorder (DLD), noting the potential of #DLD as a neurodevelopmental, multidimensional spectrum. on.asha.org/47NwCGu @karlamcgregor.bsky.social @sigperspectives.bsky.social
pubs.asha.org
Developmental Language Disorder as a Multidimensional Neurodevelopmental Spectrum: Implications for Diagnosis
Purpose: We aimed to create a comprehensive understanding of the dilemmas involved in the diagnosis of developmental language disorder (DLD) and ...
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Caroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist 🇦🇺🇳🇿🌻 @carolinebowen.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
JUST WHEN I THOUGHT TODAY COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER, 🦋 #bskySPEECHIES❗@karlamcgregor.bsky.social and co are 🔥on fire🔥 in @ashajournals.bsky.social in a 🆓🔓 article about #devlangdis and its spectral nature. This assertion will stay with me: "To diagnose is to categorize". pubs.asha.org/doi/full/10....
pubs.asha.org
Developmental Language Disorder as a Multidimensional Neurodevelopmental Spectrum: Implications for Diagnosis
Purpose: We aimed to create a comprehensive understanding of the dilemmas involved in the diagnosis of developmental language disorder (DLD) and ...
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Dr Susan Ebbels @susanebbels.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Enjoyed skim-reading this paper!
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Reposted by Dr Susan Ebbels
Caroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist 🇦🇺🇳🇿🌻 @carolinebowen.bsky.social · 01/11/2025
Hello 🦋 #bskySPEECHIES, SLT advocates, parents of children & young people with #SLCN & other dedicated #childSPEECHdis #devLANGdis 💃🕺movers & shakers. The #INVESTinSLT push has important implications internationally. Please amplify📣 this message 🇬🇧 #budget2025🇬🇧 #budget25🇬🇧 @ukparliament.parliament.uk
RCSLT letterhead


Statement on the need to Invest in SLT - 27 October 2025

This statement is issued on behalf of Mikey Akers, Louisa Akers, Francesca Beard, Samantha Berry, Dave Harford, Georgia Leckie, Karen Massey, Sharon Oliphant,Gillian Rudd, Pam Slater, and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.*

Nine months ago today (27 October) the House of Commons debated the Invest in SLT petition. We were delighted that our briefing for the debate was supported by over 40 organisations and by the very powerful contributions from MPs of all parties calling on the Government to increase investment in services and better plan for the speech and language therapy workforce.

We were also encouraged by the Government’s response and by the pledge the Government made to the Invest in SLT team in March that they would work with us on an action plan to tackle the issues affecting access to speech and language therapy.

We regret that seven months on that action plan has not yet appeared. So, today, and with the Budget on 26 November in sight, we are calling on the Government to do two things:

1) Ensure that the forthcoming Budget provides sufficient resources to the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Education, and other relevant Government Departments, so they can increase investment in speech and language therapy.

2) Publish the speech and language therapy action plan which they discussed with us in March. 

People of all ages with communication disability, difficulty, or difference, and those with eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties, and their families and carers have already waited too long for the barriers to accessing speech and language therapy to be removed. They should not have to wait any longer.

Working with you, we will do all we can to make things better for people with communication and/or swallowing needs. But we need the Government to act – and to act now. Those we work with and represent deserve no less.
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Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 23/10/2025
In case you missed it, in celebration of #DLDday, we're giving away access to the first webinar in our popular series "Supporting children with DLD in curriculum subjects" This one dives into MATHS➕✖️➖➗🟰 Access here until 17th Nov: training.moorhouseinstitute.com/course/index... #DLD #devlangdis
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Moor House Institute @moorhouseinstitute.com · 11/11/2025
Something exciting is coming… We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new Podcast, The DLD DownLoaD, exploring all things DLD with the help of some amazing guests. Listen to the teaser now and stay tuned for updates! bit.ly/4hSO7sd #DLDdownload #newpodcast #devlangdis #comingsoon
open.spotify.com
The DLD DownLoaD Podcast Trailer
Spotify video
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