Speech and Language UK

15/06/2026

In case you missed it: the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance won a National Campaigner Award for the Making Oracy Inclusive campaign! 🌟

After lots of campaigning, the final report from the Curriculum Review recommended an oracy framework for primary and secondary schools, and it used our inclusive definition of oracy, too.

We’re so proud of what our campaign achieved and for our work to be recognised by SMK!

Thank you to our fellow Alliance members, to George Carr and Beth Moulam for accepting the award, and to the Sheila McKechnie Foundation for an inspiring evening!🌈

Photos courtesy of Sheila McKechnie Foundation📸

Read more here >> https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/speech-language-and-communication-alliance-wins-smk-award-for-its-campaign-to-make-oracy-inclusive/

12/06/2026

We’re proud to be part of , a movement driven by people with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) and their supporters.

With the right support, people with DLD can thrive. But right now, this lack of awareness means they aren’t being heard – and they’re not getting the help they need.

It’s time to change that! Join us to make sure people with DLD are understood, supported and heard > https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/get-involved/join-voices-for-dld/

12/06/2026

Winners! 🙌✨

Thank you to SMK for recognising the Speech, Language and Communication Alliance's work in this way. We're so proud of what this campaign has achieved for the two million children in the UK with speech and language challenges!

Watch us receive our award here >> https://www.youtube.com/live/Cu10C4emYBw?si=A7dTn-tjEwOiuqOf&t=3570

🎤 The winner for Amplifying Voices at the is...

MAKING ORACY INCLUSIVE!!

Speech and Language UK is working to make sure the 1 in 5 children with speech and language challenges get the education they need and deserve.

The Campaign:
Two million children in the UK struggle to talk and understand words, but the UK education system isn’t designed around their needs. In fact, their needs are often forgotten completely. The campaign focused on influencing the Oracy Commission and the Government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review. They needed to make sure any changes to the curriculum had children with speech, language, and communication challenges at their heart.

The Change:
The final report’s very first recommendation was a commitment to an oracy framework for both primary and secondary schools. What’s more, the report used an inclusive definition of oracy that was based on their proposal to the Oracy Commission. The Government has since accepted this definition of oracy in its response to the review and is now setting out an oracy framework for both primary and secondary schools using it, too. This will be transformative for children and young people nationwide, and we’re confident that this is just the beginning.

The Future:
SLCA co-chair Jane Harris says “It’s been amazing to see the Government finally listen to children with speech, and language challenges, but our work is far from over. The Government has big plans to reform the support that children with special educational needs and disabilities get at school. We need to make sure that children and young people who struggle with talking and understanding words are included in those plans. Speech, language, and communication skills are the foundations of a child’s future – their education, friendships, wellbeing, and so much more. They should be the foundations of the Government’s reforms, too.”

Congratulations to the Speech, Language, and Communication Alliance for proving that when we amplify unheard voices, !

https://smk.org.uk/awards_nominations/making-oracy-inclusive/

11/06/2026

Carol's gearing up for the Big Silence🤫
And we want your favourite creators to help us spread the word about the silent challenge too!

With their platform, we can raise greater awareness for the two million children in the struggling to talk and understand words.

So, tag them in the comments below and let’s make these 24 hours of peace and quiet count!

11/06/2026

The Speech, Language and Communication Alliance has been shortlisted for a National Campaigner Award by the prestigious Sheila Mckechnie Foundation!

We're so proud to have worked with this campaign group to deliver a more inclusive curriculum for the two million children with speech and language challenges🙌

Tune in to the awards here: https://smk.org.uk/what-we-do/connect/awards/smk-national-campaigner-awards-ceremony-2026/

Each year, SMK celebrates the best campaigns and campaigners. Join us on 30 September for the 2020 Campaigner Awards virtual ceremony and get inspired.

10/06/2026

There’s a chance to win big with our lottery wherever you are in Great Britain! Play today and help the 1 in 5 children struggling to talk and understand words.

❤️ Just £1 a play
💰 Big prizes to be won
💪 Help change children’s lives

Test your lucky numbers here>>https://bit.ly/3Fjn6iR

10/06/2026

"For too long, people with Developmental Language Disorder have been overlooked, misunderstood or left to struggle without the support they need. That has to change." ~ Jane Harris, CEO

We’re proud to raise our alongside Afasic, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and Naplic.

Every year, thousands of school and early years staff put speech and language first using our innovative tools and training programmes.

10/06/2026

Our newest live training webinar, Talking with babies, will give you the knowledge and practical strategies you need to take your early years care to the next level! 🐣

For a limited time only, we’re offering you the chance to attend this webinar for just £5.

Take advantage of this special offer and book your place today! >> https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/talking-with-babies-webinar/

10/06/2026

Two children in every average UK classroom have Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) – a lifelong condition that affects talking and understanding words. Yet despite being so common, DLD remains widely misunderstood and too often overlooked.

With the right support, people with DLD can thrive. But right now, an alarming lack of awareness means many children, young people and adults aren’t being heard – and they’re not getting the help they need.

And when people with DLD aren’t supported, we miss out on their ideas, skills and talents. Children struggle in classrooms. Adults face problems at work. Families have to fight for help. This just isn’t fair.

We’re determined to change this.

It’s time to raise our !

We’re proud to be one of the organisations leading the new movement , driven by people with DLD and their supporters.

Join us to make sure people with DLD are understood, supported, and heard > https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/get-involved/join-voices-for-dld/

09/06/2026

Do you provide support to families at your early years setting?
Great news: we've got just the training for you!🌟

We're offering free EYSEND workshops in June and July!
Join us and learn how to give families the tools to support their child’s communication skills 💬👩‍👩‍👧‍👦

Book your place now >> https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/educators-and-professionals/training-courses/eysend-partnership/