What is ELSEC?

Early Language Support for Every Child (ELSEC) is a programme empowering early years settings and primary schools to support children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), with a focus on children who are not currently accessing specialist Speech and Language Therapy. A key priority will be working closely with your setting to equip and upskill education staff to continue supporting children’s language development both during and beyond the project.

 

Why do we need ELSEC?

  • Barnet has a steadily increasing population of children and young people with identified SEND
  • In areas of high social disadvantage around 50% of children are starting school with delayed language or identified SLCN. 
  • Having limited language skills at a young age predicts a child's outcomes later in life.
  • Educational staff play a crucial role in developing all children's language abilities and can directly improve their chances of positive outcomes
     

Who we are

The ELSEC team consists of Speech and Language Therapist (SLT) Clinical Coordinators and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants (SLTA).

 

What we offer

Staff in your setting will work with a Speech and Language Therapy Assistant (SLTA), who is overseen by a Speech and Language Therapist. For schools, we can provide support in up to 2 consecutive year groups. For Private, Voluntary and Independent Nurseries, we can provide support for your whole setting. 
 

ELSEC support consists of:

  • Staff training on using a screener tool to identify children with language needs in their classes.

  • Collaboration with staff to develop a communication-friendly classroom environment.

  • Coaching staff to deliver universal and targeted interventions, provided over 5x weekly coaching sessions.

  • Follow up visits and virtual group support sessions, following the initial block of 5 sessions, to provide ongoing support to your staff as they continue interventions. 

  • Parent carer support offers.