Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he plans to develop guidance for youth offending teams on how best to (a) support and (b) meet the needs of young people with speech, language and communication needs; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Young people with speech and language difficulties are particularly vulnerable, and we are seeking to ensure that those who work with children and young people with a high prevalence of speech, language and communication needs, are trained in recognising and responding appropriately to these needs. Over the last three years we have provided free, national training for Youth Justice professionals supporting them to identify children’s special educational and disability needs and deliver effective engagement and positive long-term outcomes.
Furthermore, in 2015, the Youth Justice Board (YJB) and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) published joint practitioner guidance about how to identify children with speech, language and communication needs, how to communicate more effectively with them and how to make written information more accessible. The guidance can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/speech-language-and-communication-needs-in-the-youth-justice-system/practice-advice-speech-language-and-communication-needs-slcn-in-the-youth-justice-system.
Asked by: Rebecca Pow (Conservative - Taunton Deane)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has taken steps to (a) ensure that all practitioners who work in the youth justice system are trained in recognising and responding appropriately to communication needs and (b) develop a referral pathway for youth offenders to access speech and language therapy.
Answered by Edward Argar - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
Young people with speech and language difficulties are particularly vulnerable, and we are seeking to ensure that those who work with children and young people in areas with a high prevalence of speech, language and communication needs, are trained in recognising and responding appropriately to these needs. We offered free, national training for Youth Justice professionals over the last three years, supporting them to identify children’s special educational and disability needs and to deliver effective engagement and positive long-term outcomes.
To ensure robust referral pathways throughout the youth justice system, the YJB have developed a screening tool which provides a holistic assessment and intervention plan that can be used in a variety of settings. In custody, NHS England screen and assess every child for neurodisabilities using the Comprehensive Health Assessment Tool (CHAT), and put in place an individual care plan. Education providers are also required to assess educational needs and provide appropriate support.