What assessment has the Welsh Government made of future demand for speech and language therapy, given that speech, language and communication needs are the most common type of additional learning needs in Wales?
Speech and language therapy is an important service for children across Wales. Local authorities are responsible for reviewing and planning their additional learning provision and Health Boards plan their workforce based on demographic and workforce trends. Since 30 September 2017, the number of qualified speech and language therapists in NHS employment has risen by 14.6% to a full time equivalent of 530.4 at 30 September 2022. Each year, Health Education and Improvement Wales develops recommendations on the level of new healthcare training places, informed by health board Integrated Medium Term Plans and wider workforce intelligence.
The ‘Talk With Me: Speech, Language and Communication Delivery Plan‘ published in November 2020, seeks to drive improvement in the way in which children in Wales are supported to develop their SLC skills. This plan includes education, health and social policy, building on existing policies and what works. It was developed in partnership with professionals including the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and sets out the Welsh Government’s programme of work to improve SLC support for children aged 0 to 4 years 11 months.
The Welsh Government’s Child Development Fund has allocated over £18 million to local authorities to tackle developmental delay affecting children under five, including SLC regression, impeded fine and gross motor skills and personal and social development.