About Us

The Challenge

Language underpins all learning. Without language, children are unable to make friends, socialise and learn. The consequences of growing up with language delay include low educational attainment, poor job prospects and often, anti-social behaviour. The national incidence of language difficulty is estimated to be around 10-12% of the population (ICAN survey). In Stoke-on-Trent, local research in 2001 indicated that around 70% of children entering nursery had a language delay. These shocking statistics led to the development of a multi-agency initiative called Stoke Speaks Out.

The Solution

Stoke Speaks Out is a partnership approach to tackle the causes of language delay in the City. Partners from Education, Health and Voluntary Sector joined forces to create a long-term vision of "a city that communicates - where children and young people are able to take full advantage of health, education and employment opportunities."

The multi-agency Stoke Speaks Out team includes professionals from Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Psychology, Midwifery, Children and Young Peoples Services and the Pre-School Learning Alliance. Each agency contributes its expertise to help resolve the underlying issues causing language delay, and to promote secure parent-child attachment, positive parenting, early opportunity for development through play, quality language - promoting environments and quality support.

The list of professionals involved is by no means exhaustive, as it is recognised that all practitioners have an important role to play in developing children's communication skills.