What assessment has the Minister made of the need to extend the Talk with Me Speech, Language and Communication Delivery Plan 2020-2022 and the secondment of speech and language therapists into Welsh Government, in light of the well-evidenced impact of the pandemic on children’s speech, language and communication skills?
Answered by Deputy Minister for Social Services | Answered on 25/08/2023
Funding is in place until 2025 with a programme of work underway.
There is currently no decision on whether to continue Talk with Me or appoint speech and language therapists to support the programme beyond 2025. The Welsh Government will review the situation before the current secondment ends in July 2025, and determine the most appropriate next steps.