Level 4 Award in Supporting Children & Young People with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)

Registrations of interest are now open for the cohort starting on 1st October 2024.

Click below to begin your registration or read on for further details.

“Thank you for teaching in such a clear and understanding way. The discussions we had during our contact days were invaluable.”
— Peterborough SENCO

Research suggests that in some areas 50% of children start school with a speech, language and communication need (SLCN) and that approximately 10% go on to have a long-term SLCN. A focus on ‘talk in the classroom’ therefore can have a profound impact on children and young people’s learning and social interaction. (Communication Trust 2019).

The Level 4 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with SLCN is designed to give participants confidence in how to deliver effective support for children and young people with SLCN and will result in an exciting portfolio of work to take away.

On successful completion, participants will gain a Level 4 Award in Supporting children and young people with SLCN and 6 Level 4 credits from Gateway Qualifications.

It is suitable for professionals working in a teaching or support role in a school or setting and is open to those in all phases of education: early years, primary, secondary or post-16.

  • Participants can access the Level 4 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with SLCN by laptop/tablet/phone.

    Participants can access the course via three pathways: online, via our real-time Virtual Classroom as part of Group 152* or via locally delivered workshop sessions (where partnerships are in place).

    *Group 152, our newest pathway, so named as participants from any of the 152 local authorities in England can join this real-time Virtual Classroom. Participants can enjoy the interactive experience and develop networking opportunities with others across the country.

    The course runs twice a year, with a cohort starting in the Spring (1st February) and Autumn (1st October). The course duration is nine months. Workshop sessions (delivered locally and as part of Group 152) will take place in the first six months of the course.

    Participants can work through the course at their own pace and can submit their portfolio at any time within the nine months.

    Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) allocate a Learning Outcome Assessor to every participant. Their role is to provide feedback to strengthen portfolio work ready for final submission. All correspondence with Learning Outcome Assessors takes place on our online platform.

  • The expected duration of this course is nine months. There are seven chapters of learning in the course that include but are not limited to:
    • The roles and responsibilities of different professionals working in schools and settings to support children and young people with SLCN, including the participant’s role and how this contributes to the effectiveness of support.
    • Typical speech language and communication development and an understanding of the risk factors that may increase the likelihood of a child or young person having SLCN.
    • The impact of SLCN on other areas of development.
    • Identification of SLCN.
    • Strategies for supporting children and young people with SLCN.
    • Techniques to engage children and young people in the support process and provide opportunities for them to develop the necessary skills to do so.

    In order to evidence the Learning Outcomes for the course, participants will complete an online portfolio made up of learning activities and reflections linked to the seven chapters of learning.


    6 Level 4 credits equates to at least 60 hours of learning. This consists of guided learning hours (engagement in the course materials) and non-guided learning hours (engagement in learning activities and reflections).

  • In order to evidence the Learning Outcomes for the course, participants will complete an online portfolio made up of learning activities and reflections linked to the seven chapters of learning.

    Participants on the online pathway will have access to a Learning Outcome Assessor who will provide feedback to support participants to gain the level of knowledge and practical skills required and to strengthen portfolio work ready for final submission. All correspondence with Learning Outcome Assessors takes place on our online platform.

    Participants accessing Group 152 or locally delivered workshop sessions (where partnerships are in place) will have access to a Tutor and Learning Outcome Assessor. The Tutor and Learning Outcome Assessor will support participants to gain the level of knowledge and practical skills required and to strengthen portfolio work ready for final submission. All correspondence with Learning Outcome Assessors takes place on our online platform.

    Once submitted, portfolios will go through Eastern Partnership UK (SEND)’s quality assurance process to check that evidence meets the Learning Outcomes for the course.

  • • Successful completion of the course will increase capacity of staff to better support children and young people with SLCN in your school or setting.
    • Impact positively on practice and outcomes for children and young people with SLCN.
    • Improve independent learning behaviours and self-regulation of children and young people with SLCN.
    • Improve the engagement of children and young people in the support process.

  • The course is open to those who are:

    • Working in a teaching or support role in a school or setting across the phases: early years, primary, secondary or post-16.

    • Building a portfolio of Level 4 SEND related qualifications.

    • Have an interest in speech, language and communication or in supporting children and young people with SLCN.

  • Currently under review.

How to register your interest for Autumn 2024

Please complete the registration form on the button below.